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
maide service in Lincolnshire ..Are you undergoing a major life change? Or merely trying... Read More
One of things that Charismatic people share is an unshakeable... Read More
Quote of the week:"Of all the attitudes we can acquire,... Read More
The invisible force surrounded him, squeezing tightly around his chest.... Read More
An Attitude of Gratitude. How important is this to you... Read More
You've been looking for a job for as long as... Read More
With Thanksgiving approaching, I thought it would be especially appropriate... Read More
"It really works!" "Well, I'll be?!"BJ like so many others... Read More
I'm lucky.When I was fifteen, I was the sole survivor... Read More
Thinkers know better than to be racist. It's generally understood... Read More
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious."... Read More
If you suffer with or have in the past suffered... Read More
"Who am I fooling?" "I'm a loser," "I'm too old,"... Read More
In the international bestseller, Blink, Malcolm Gladwell explains how researchers... Read More
I will never forget an evening in 2003, when I... Read More
Ever feel like giving up? Do you ever feel so... Read More
I started life writing in the fifth grade. My mother... Read More
You are already a winner, and so am I.Although you... Read More
Need a way to make your life a better place... Read More
Thousands of dollars will be yours, just by using your... Read More
Hey gang; Ok it's time to create some good habits.... Read More
The mind absolutely amazes me. It will never be understood,... Read More
"Work on your career and you'll make a living. Work... Read More
There was someone I used to work with who, well... Read More
One of the biggest potential problems we face with every... Read More
cleaning lady near Deerfield ..Are feelings and attitudes the same thing or different? Does... Read More
Our attitude makes seems to control just about everything about... Read More
In many ways the Star War movies are simply a... Read More
Good morning I love you.This is a basic exercise, which... Read More
"In life, if you give yourself a concession, you'd take... Read More
The hardest part of success is the **courage** you need... Read More
You don't need to a piece of paper to prove... Read More
One thing in life is certain---change. Things never stay the... Read More
You may be facing a type of disappointment, frustration, loss,... Read More
I started life writing in the fifth grade. My mother... Read More
Have you ever felt the whole world was against you?... Read More
Thousands of dollars will be yours, just by using your... Read More
Every emotion, wether we classify it as good or bad,... Read More
I thought this was fitting sense I just experienced a... Read More
From Making the Big Move: how to transform relocation into... Read More
During these times of uncertainty in the outside world, look... Read More
This is the age of the Quick Fix - the... Read More
Many people find it extremely difficult to be assertive, whether... Read More
As I walked my dogs recently on what "should" have... Read More
Everyone of us has the potential to successfully more through... Read More
Does the thought of failure send a cold shiver down... Read More
Many of us allow our fear to stop us in... Read More
Are you completely happy in your life right now? Honestly?... Read More
I'm often asked how it is that I stay so... Read More
I AM SO GRATEFUL for meeting challenges head-on. We see... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |