Days of Healing, Days of Joy .......................................Nov. 2nd

"Give a little love to a child and you get a great deal back
............................................................................ John Ruskin

Many of us are scared to death of the wounded child living within us. We're afraid of remembering too much, afraid of feeling overwhelmed, afraid of the rage that will be stirred up. But in spite of all that learned fear, there is good reason to listen to what that precious part of us has to say.

Children, no matter how wounded, are naturally honest. Play is their main task in life. Wonder, imagination, trust, and love are as much a part of them as their fingers and toes. The very young haven't had time yet to practice the deadly skill of deceit.

Our child is still there -- within. That child still speaks messages of innocence and still waits to be heard and acknowledged. It is the child within, although it may be wounded, that waits to teach us and lead us along the road to recovery. Often the child leads the adult to wisdom.
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As I become stronger, I am more willing and able than I used to be to spend time with my inner child.

During therapy and while doing my 4th and 5th Steps, I was amazed at the level of rage and anger I had towards my parents. I hadn't realized it was so strong and resentful. But at the same time, it felt almost good to acknowledge it because I'd been unknowingly harboring all that rage for so long it was a relief. Even without knowing it was there, somehow it created a weight on me, and once released I felt a freedom that I'd never felt before. It was like I could "see" for the first time! And in a way I could.