Staying connected to our inner child — or as Carl Jung would say, our ‘eternal child’ — provides an expansion of who we are both emotionally and creatively.
There are great rewards in preserving the rights of the little one within us. By treating ourselves with kindness and compassion — providing gentle and steady encouragement — our psyches are more inclined to maintain a sense of wonder about the world, as well as an interest in those around us.
Staying connected to the inner child also helps fuel our creative endeavors. Often in life there is tendency to shame our inner child for not being smart enough, good enough, quick enough. On reflection, we find that these harsh, negative comments only serve to bring fear and insecurity to the child within.
When you next find yourself in that negative space, imagine taking your inner child by the hand. Gently coaxing him or her with steady reassurance. Normalizing those emotions with understanding and kindness. Your internal experience now shifts from a fearful paralysis into a safe, warm and creative place — providing fertile ground for creative connections.
This fall, I’m bringing my inner child along on a creative adventure. My musical “Bob Cratchit and Mr. Tightwad” premieres this December in Los Angeles. It’s a new twist on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”
I did the adaptation, composed the music and wrote the lyrics. A wonderful cast and creative team are helping bring “Bob Cratchit” to life.
If you’re in Southern California, please join us at the Secret Rose Theatre (NoHo) beginning Dec. 8, 2011.