A Letter to My Inner Child – Finding my Own Magic
31 May 2010 1 Comment
Dear Younger Self:
Let’s pretend that we are able to break the barrier of time for a few precious moments and meet each other face to face. The young and the wise like multi-dimensional cosmic twins, together for the very first time. What would you ask me? What could I say to ease your growing pains?
Would you believe me if I told you that it really doesn’t matter that your hair frizzes up the minute you step out of the house? Could you trust me if I say that in a short while you will be completely over the heart ache of a teen age crush gone bad? How should I convince you that it’s ok you that didn’t get accepted to cheerleading camp? Is there any way I can assure you that your best friend didn’t betray you but that you betrayed yourself into thinking she was your best friend?
Hummm! I don’t know that I should even try. Who am I to deprive you of the bitter sweet moments of your youthful life? Why should you know that the insurmountable challenges of youth are only mole hills compared to the daily routine of adult life?
No. I think that rather than offering my grown up advice, there are some things your youthful self could help me figure out.
You see, I’ve been wondering whatever happened to all that magic that you always seemed to find. When did I outgrow those childhood games that kept me happy and entertained for hours at a time? How come a simple outing no longer feels like the most wondrous of adventures? Where did I leave my desire to discover new places, new friends, and make new plans? When did I stop thinking that I held the world in the palm of my hands?
I now apply logic and common sense to resolve the daily issues of my life. I traded magic for responsibility and hard work. I forgot all about you, my inner child. I kept you hidden, afraid that someone would learn our secret dreams. But I think the biggest fear I had was for myself. How could I take myself seriously if I still believed there was a playful world out there where dreams could really come true? Is it too late? Can you forgive this silly grown up for leaving you behind?
Of course you can! Because I know there is no room for grudges in your young heart. So I’ve come back to reacquaint myself with you. I want to relearn what I once knew: to play without guilt, to trust without fear and to believe in my own magic.
Forever yours,
ME