When I was little I was very busy--as I imagine most little girls are. At six years of age I had my toys, my fire station with a real bell, my fire trucks and other cars, my paper dolls, my coloring books and large box of Crayola assorted crayons, my picture books and stuffed animals. One of my most important possessions was a 'working' toy which was my ceramic pig that served as my personal banker. This pig controlled my destiny to some extent, because when there was enough change inside of him, I got to go downtown Bridgeport with my mother and guess what? I picked out a new toy! Now I was going on seven and saving every penny toward a Toni doll. Did you know you could perm her hair? I couldn't wait!
And then, as if in a flash, I was no longer going on seven, but turning 10. A different house, a different town, but still so many interests and passions! I had my hand held sewing machine and spent hours creating outfits for my dolls. The Toni doll was still around, but unimportant-small vogue dolls were my passion. I figured out a way to make my own paper patterns for their clothing. I liked my patterns because they involved less sewing than the store bought doll patterns. That was good for me as I was more interested in adding details such as lace trim, rather than doing a lot of sewing. The exception to my own rule was the bridal gown for my large Vogue doll. I went all out and sewed feverishly, dreaming of a day when ...
I was incredibly busy. I had to practice my violin. I had to read my latest Little Lulu comic. I was in the middle of the Nancy Drew Mystery Book that I had convinced my mom to buy me. Oh-I had to work on my next Girl Scout Badge by next Thursday. Yes, so much to do and so little time. I'm always at least three days behind in my diary, but I must keep recording my life!
Wash up fast! I Love Lucy is on. Everything stops for I Love Lucy!
Can you feel the energy-the passion and determination of the child? It might surprise you to realize that within each of us, the child, with her energy, her passions, her potential for greatness, is still alive. It may take a trip back in time to find what really sparked us. It may take some creative re-inventing to figure out how we can use the wonderment of our younger self in a form that will work now. Let me now share with you how I further explored childhood positive energies and their retrieval with a colleague.
I was talking to Nancy Fredericks. She is a corporate consultant and the co-author of a wonderful, empowering book for women, entitled DANCING ON THE GLASS CEILING. As we shared our passion to encourage women to find their strengths and potential (what I call The Song of Your Soul), she shared with me how often she finds that the secret to this personal essence resides in our past.
She remembered herself as a child making potholders. She loved making them, but after awhile she had an awfully lot of potholders. She gave some away and still made them. Then she began to think that there had to be a reason for all these potholders! She started selling them to neighbors. They sold! She made more. She got the idea of enrolling her girlfriends in making potholders. It worked. Suddenly she had a big booming business.
Here she was-a third grader with "the first pot holder mass-production line in her neighborhood." She began to make a profit.
In her book, Nancy goes on to say that through recalling this aspect of her childhood she came in contact with a clue about her Heart's Purpose: "a love of business and a talent for managing people and achieving results."
Nancy's child is so clear. A business entrepreneur in the making! I will have to play with my child and tease out some of the energy that still asks to be cherished in this part of my life. That's OK. I'm not in a rush and part of recovering our earlier passions-to now live a life that Nancy labels: "Fully Passionate, Fully Alive"- involves time and nurturing.
Why don't you 'play' with your child for awhile also? Pick an age or a couple of ages and get to know that priceless human being again. I suggest that you keep a list of all the talents, strengths and potential you find as you revisit your younger selves.
About The Author
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein , originator of THE ENCHANTED SELF?, a method of bringing delight and meaning into everyday living, invites you to view her new line of ENCHANTED WOMAN products, downloadable e-books, and free gifts at http://www.enchantedself.com. Chat with others in Dr. Holstein's e-group, http://www.enchantedself.com, and sign up for her free e-group at http://www.enchantedself.com. Order her book, THE ENCHANTED SELF: A Positive Therapy, or the CD-rom or tape version and her book RECIPES FOR ENCHANTMENT: The Secret Ingredient is YOU!, or the ED-rom version, at her webiste. http://www.enchantedself.com
cleaning service near Bannockburn ..That strange, gut-wrenching feeling you have is not the sushi... Read More
Do you realize how good you have it? Yes, everyone... Read More
Have you ever felt the whole world was against you?... Read More
Have you ever known someone like this? "A person who... Read More
I'm often asked how it is that I stay so... Read More
"Work on your career and you'll make a living. Work... Read More
The other day one of my "challenging clients" and I... Read More
Unhappy? Stressed out? Do you feel you not only want... Read More
An old Joni Mitchell song reminds us, "don't it always... Read More
WhenWhen we have feelings for someone or something, we have... Read More
Often when radical change occurs in our lives we feel... Read More
The others in the raft didn't seem to share Eddie's... Read More
Who can control a smile sneaking across your face as... Read More
Turn negative thoughts into positive ones.Negative thoughts can be very... Read More
What's my life all about is the question so many... Read More
When I was a young girl, my sister and I... Read More
When you're feeling "low," or out of the flow, it's... Read More
I'm sure most of you remember the children's book about... Read More
"The knowledge of actions or events before they occur; foresight."You... Read More
Looking for a bit more mindfulness in your daily life?... Read More
In the self-help and wellness industry, a mission has been... Read More
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious."... Read More
It is widely believed that just anybody has the intrinsic... Read More
Did you know that our thoughts may be influencing our... Read More
How would you like to stop feeling like your life... Read More
pet-friendly home cleaners Mundelein ..Do you ever feel sorry for yourself? Do you ever... Read More
Fear is a double-edged sword. It can hold you back... Read More
Discover how easy it is to improve your relationships. The... Read More
I believe that one of the best ways to stay... Read More
Studies show that men and women profit most with having... Read More
Thousands of dollars will be yours, just by using your... Read More
"A person is limited only by the thoughts that he... Read More
It sounds a little masochistic, but I actually appreciate being... Read More
The only constant is change. If theres one thing we... Read More
Philosophy of Forgiveness:The most powerful tool that human beings possess... Read More
The language we use programs our brains. Mastering our language... Read More
Failure is my favorite subject. For I have spent my... Read More
Many people would say that it is absolute madness to... Read More
As a being of thought, your dominant mental attitude will... Read More
Who can control a smile sneaking across your face as... Read More
There is a wonderful story about the famous escape artist,... Read More
Turn brutality into kindness. There is no small deed and... Read More
Being the next Carmen Electra or Paris Hilton might or... Read More
How would your life shift if you moved into what... Read More
Believe me, today is the most wonderful day of your... Read More
So people will reject us no matter how good we... Read More
Have you ever considered that you may be subconsciously sabotaging... Read More
Every day that I eat EnergyRich? Food, I get almost... Read More
There are only two emotions we can experience; love or... Read More
Satisfaction 100% guaranteed or your money back! That was the... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |