Four Reasons To Tap Into Your Inner Child

By: Heather Blanchard

We’re all getting older every day. Some of us some are aging with grace, while others balk at the thought. Getting older has many challenges. Increasing responsibilities often soak up time for self-care and fun. We ache more, recover more slowly from exercise or a poor night of sleep, and encounter more health issues and losses. BUT…did you ever wonder how some of the coolest, most mature people you know have seemingly tapped into the Fountain of Youth? I truly believe anyone can stay young at heart if they peel back the layers of social conditioning and tap into their inner child.

“Some people are old at 28, and some are young at 90.” – Yoko Ono

Following are four reasons to rediscover the energy and zest for life you had as a kid.

Children are curious – and that’s a beautiful thing! Young kids ask a million questions and won’t quit until they get an answer. They are at an age of wonderment and learning, and they never want to stop. They keep growing, trying new things, reaching and attaining new skills. And shouldn’t we all strive for that? To a child, there aren’t just 7 wonders of the world, there are 7 million!

Contagious Excitement – There’s nothing more magical than childlike excitement! Not long ago, our girls asked for jars to go outside and catch fireflies. When they were younger, I used to tell them fireflies were mini fairies 🙂 Watching them run around the yard laughing and chasing flittering lights filled my heart with joy. Remember when you used to get so excited you couldn’t sleep? We should all strive to schedule trips, activities, adventures, events and visits with loved ones that make us so excited we rediscover that tingling in our toes, and always have something to look forward to.

Faith – Children have blind faith – in a good way. You could tell them you were going to put two swimming pools in the yard and they would believe you. They believe in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny. And they believe they can attain anything if they put their heart into it – which leads them to explore and take new risks. This kind of faith isn’t childish though. We could all use a little less skepticism as adults and a little more faith.

Children Trust – Last, but not least, children truly trust. They trust that things will work out, and sleep like a baby because they can leave their worries in the care of someone’s loving hands. They trust others to lead the way, and learn to trust themselves – their inner voice – along the way. I don’t know about you, but I would love to sleep soundly just like when I was a kid! We can still lean on others, on our inner circle, and know they have our back in order to leave our worries at the door. We can trust that where we are right now is where we’re meant to be, and trust that we’ll always find the right path – even if the road is crooked along the way.

So, strive to be someone who never looses their curiosity and wonder at the world, who continually learns, grows and plays, and tap into your creative side to live a long, fruitful life and leave those around you with pure joy.

“Be an old soul with the playfulness and simplicity of a child, while maintaining world-wisdom and deep insight.” – Don Mateo Sol