FEEL. REVEAL. HEAL Interview Your Inner Child

INTERVIEW YOUR INNER CHILD

As we sit in circle together, even though not in the same physical space, I want to name that this is a tender section of the book and may touch on some areas within yourself or your life that you have never reconciled or spent time with and wherever you are with this is okay. If you have said yes to showing up for yourself and the world by arriving at this page, then trust the process. As someone who has done a lot of spiritual, mental, emotional and physical healing over the last 20+ years, know that I empathize with you and stand with you. If you can, take a moment to light a candle each time you come to this section of the book and really invite the truth in that life IS a ceremony. If not a candle, maybe you pour libation, or use other natural tools shared in the "Nature's Apothecary" section of this book. As I write these words, more than anything I just want you to know you are not alone in your pain, in the struggle, or trying to make sugar from shit. Your story is my story. We all have our trials. And glory to the divinity in us all when we can find the buried treasures, share our story and find meaning in our lives. We first begin by going back to take the hand and reconcile the trust of our inner child.

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In earlier chapters of this book, I have touched on sovereignty, authenticity and your divine birthright simply because of the majesty within you, all that created you and flows through you. I have often heard it said that we are closest to God as children...full of awe, wonder, an active imagination, a very thin veil between our physical realm and the spiritual one and infinite hope for what is possible. I was in dialogue with a beloved friend the other day and we were talking about the inner child work we do for ourselves and others and we arrived at the question many of us (adults) heard or were asked when we were younger "What do you want to be when you grow up?" As I reflected more on the exchange, thinking of my own experience, I realized that for many of us therein lies the insert of our first deep wound. I don't know about you but when I was asked this question in elementary school, I had some very clear initial answers (which I don't mind saying were architect, being on stage, writing and helping people...no particular order) and the feedback I got when I shared those answers included "they don't make any money" , "Black people don't do that" , "why not being a doctor or lawyer or something, you're smart... " and laughter. So naturally, I thought the adults in my life would know because they were on the other side of the question so I abandoned those dreams and started pursuing being a pediatric nurse. With changes, twists, turns and interesting lessons along the way, here I am today doing EXACTLY what my inner child confessed lit her up - I'm an architect of businesses, brands, communities and systems; I'm a motivational speaker, MC, poet and artist who has taken the stage to help people more time than I can count; and

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the writing? You're holding proof of me making that dream a reality. No matter how long it took me to find my way back, I did. I deeply believe that in order for us to find lasting happiness and wholeness in our lives, we need the responsibilities of adulthood that give us something to build + honor in ADDITION to the childlike state that keeps us humble, adventurous, curious, playful and flexible. It's not an either or. It's a both and. I also believe that our inner child manifests as either our Higher Self (an inner child that has matured into the light) or our Shadow Self (an inner child that has been silenced and put in a dark corner), depending on the relationship we've built with ourselves, or how long we've been trying to keep up with what the world thinks we should be or do with our lives. I'll let you in on a secret that has taken me alot of soul searching, self help books, therapy and pain to find out - no one is in a better position to tell you what you want to be when you grow up than you. And maybe the question that we should actually be asking children in elementary school is "What did you come to bring into the world? What lights you up?" Ask that to a little human you know and watch their eyes light up as they tell you all the amazing things they can do. And practice your inner child work by believing them and giving them more of what THEY love. We are only borrowers of this planet from the generations after us and if we can't nurture childhood dreams or the inner child of another, we should probably just get out of the way. I'll touch more on this in this section later, but for now - you and your inner child have a special date. All you need to do is pick where, what time and bring these:

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QUESTIONS FOR YOUR INNER CHILD:

When have you felt the most fulfilled? When have you felt like you needed more love? Tell me about a time when you felt like a superhero? Tell me about a time when you felt sad, not supported or not listened to enough? What did you come to bring into the world? Tell me about something you had to figure out yourself that you feel really proud of yourself for? What lights you up?

Remember, this is for you and your inner child. There is no wrong way to do it if you're showing up. Some suggestions though would be to commit - put it on your calendar. Take yourself somewhere you loved as a kid, or as similar as you can find. Sit in silence, read the questions and journal. Or read them aloud and audio record what first comes to mind. Be gentle. Be open.