I often come across people for whom life has become a chore, whose inner child has gotten lost. Everything is burdensome: they become so immersed in working, commuting, parenting, supporting aging family members, paying loans, managing finances, that somewhere along the way, they forget to live a little. They – and many of us – forget to laugh, to play, to be silly, sometimes do nothing at all, to just be a kid!
We all have an inner child
Walking along a beach in Mumbai the other day, I saw some little kids playing in the sand. They were supposedly building a structure of some sort, but mostly they were just mixing sand and water, getting dirty, knocking things down and laughing and being kids! Luckily for them, the adults with them weren’t admonishing them or telling them not to do this or that. They were all having a good time and they were all being kids! I loved that. I found it refreshing and it put a smile on my face. It also got me thinking about how few of us do this. We tend to let life weigh us down and we forget that life is a gift to be enjoyed. For what is life if we don’t make time for joy and laughter and silliness and just being in the moment!
I feel that there is still a residual child inside all of us but we tend to suppress that inner child, that joy and that uncomplicated honesty. There are so many things that we learn in the process of becoming adults that we should unlearn. For instance we learn to bear grudges against people; on the other hand kids forgive easily. As adults we tend to stick to routines and set ways of doing things; kids are so much more creative – they do things spontaneously and don’t feel the need to do things only in a particular order. Kids are curious and unafraid of asking questions. Adults tend to reign in their curiosity lest they be thought of as ignorant or immature. Children are honest, they are guileless. Yes they will be tactless, but they will be genuine and transparent and authentic as well.
Finding your inner child
Firstly it’s important not to let life get you down. Yes there are problems in life but none of them are insurmountable so don’t let them rule your life. Take the time to just be with your kids, observe them and try to join in what they do. Try to think like them and be like them: curious, creative, instinctive, untutored. You will enjoy seeing how their mind works. Make time for the things you like doing: hobbies, music, spending time with friends, travel, whatever it is. Value the relationships you have and express your affection unreservedly and without hesitation. Take the time to admire a beautiful sunset or savor a good meal. There are so many blessings in our life; if only we care to look!
Make time for your yoga. Meditate. I find that this relaxes me and makes me a calmer, more balanced person. From outer bodily strength comes inner strength as well. It makes me introspect and as a result I become more honest and empathetic. It makes me value my loved ones more. Being more relaxed also makes me able to view life more clearly; see what is truly important and what is just about trying to keep up appearances and worrying about what people will say. Do yoga with your child. Play with your child, be a kid with them. Make it a point to join in their play – whether it’s your own kids, the children of friends and relatives, or kids in your neighborhood… Be a child again; remain a child – it’s great for you!