The path to Tranquility (spring)
26. Let our inner child to grow
Everyone has an "inner child" in their heart - that is our purest self, full of curiosity, imagination and sincere emotions. However, as we grow older, this purity is often covered by social discipline, family expectations and life pressures. We learn to suppress our feelings and play roles, but gradually lose the joy of connecting with life, and even feel anxious and alienated. Ignoring the inner child not only limits our freedom, but also hinders the maturity of consciousness. In fact, letting the inner child grow is not a luxury, but an indispensable way to maintain spiritual health.
Since childhood, we have been given various identities and played various roles - well-behaved children, excellent students, sensible brothers and sisters. However, if these roles require us to suppress our emotions, the inner child will gradually withdraw and be trapped in the subconscious. These childhood roles not only affect emotional expression, but also shape our thinking patterns. Therefore, reflecting on childhood and releasing repressed emotions is the first step in the growth of the inner child.
For example, a child who is expected to be "sensible" from an early age hides his dissatisfaction and needs in order to please his parents. When he grows up, he may not dare to express his opinions in the workplace and cannot set boundaries with others, resulting in low self-worth. Similarly, people who are instilled with the idea of "not making mistakes" from an early age are prone to excessive pursuit of perfection and fear of failure in adulthood. A perfectionist may miss opportunities for growth and innovation because of the fear of making mistakes, thereby limiting his career development and self-expansion.
The growth of the inner child is actually an awakening of consciousness. Many emotional reactions and impulsive behaviors often stem from unhealed childhood trauma. A mature and self-aware person will not easily get angry or escape when facing a conflict, but will remain calm and communicate rationally. For example, when feeling unfair in the workplace, a mature person can perceive emotions and choose to express his or her position, rather than being dragged down by emotions and hastily resigning.
The maturity of consciousness lies not only in rational thinking, but also in the ability to understand and regulate emotions. If we can discover our tendency to be irritable through reflection and consciously stay calm, we can improve our interpersonal relationships and the quality of our decision-making. When consciousness becomes sharp, we can more clearly grasp our emotions and behavioral inertia, and our lives will become more harmonious and comfortable.
Love is the soil for the inner child to heal and grow. In a sincere relationship, we can experience the feeling of being accepted again and fill the gaps in childhood. For example, support between partners, when one party is anxious due to work pressure, the other party can listen patiently and encourage the other party to explore the root of fear in depth - this may just be the shadow left by childhood experience. Such love and understanding allow the inner children of both parties to be healed and grow.
Love can also come from our hearts. When we learn to accept our imperfections and treat ourselves with compassion, we can reduce anxiety and self-criticism. The nourishment of love can help the inner child go from being fragile to being strong, from being defensive to being open. It can be seen that the growth of true love is the focus of our growth and the most important sign of maturity.
The biggest limitations faced by the inner child are often habits that are repeated unconsciously day after day. Breaking these habit patterns requires conscious action and practice. When we begin to observe our automatic reactions (such as impulsiveness, pleasing, avoidance, or self-denial), we can stop when the emotion arises and choose a more appropriate response in the present moment.
By writing an emotional diary and reviewing our thoughts every day, we may find that some critical voices come from childhood experiences rather than our true selves. This realization will guide us to gradually change. Although change takes time, it is these small, cumulative efforts that constitute a profound transformation.
When the inner child is healed, we can develop a stable and independent personality. When facing intimacy and parenting challenges, we can replace emotional reactions with calmness and patience, and no longer replicate childhood trauma to the next generation. More importantly, healing the inner child will help us understand ourselves more deeply. Perhaps in this process, we will discover long-hidden passions and dreams - whether it is artistic creation, helping others, or changing lifestyles, thus giving ourselves new possibilities.
The growth of the inner child is the journey of the true self to regain control of life. We use consciousness to illuminate the shadow of the subconscious, break the habitual patterns formed since childhood, and repair the cracks with love. This journey may not be easy, but every little effort can make us more mature. In the end, as consciousness matures, we will move towards freedom and happiness together and realize the true value of life.
25. Emotions are like kaleidoscope patterns
27. Observe and understand emotions
