my inner child

I have a very sensitive, creative, insecure, and loving little boy that still lives in me. He still needs love and attention, and positive reinforcement. I need to start to treat him like he is a real child in need of protection, not a thing to suppress. He needs to be treated as if a stranger were to hurt him, I would protect him.

I need to start respecting his boundaries as I respect those of other adults, but others need to respect his/my boundaries too and I need to express them for him and for myself more clearly. This is the only way I can protect him while still living my life.

I need to give him strength and validation for the things he feels and thinks. He is a sensitive soul that should be allowed to follow his feelings and not feel ashamed for it. Kindness and understanding should be first the first response: NOT SHAME, REJECTION AND EMPATHY LACKING!

This may seem like a strange viewpoint, but after so much time being conditioned by my adult life and adult relationships to be and act certain ways, it is going to take a lot of effort on my part to undo what has been done. I want so much for this boy inside me to be able to thrive, to love and be loved and respected. I want to be able to take care of the boy inside me the same way that I would love my own child if they were hurting or afraid, but this can't happen until I give him what he needs. I need to be the man I needed as a child.

I need to give him back what he has given me throughout the years. A place of safety and security, someone to guide in the right direction while encouraging and celebrating his uniqueness. I need to give him back some of the precious childhood dreams he has given me that were never meant for me. I need to be able to accept his differences and treat them as strengths not weaknesses. I also need to allow him time to just play, and re-build confidence.

He needs a safe space where he can be spontaneous without having to worry about reactions or judgments from others.

In this way, I will give him the chance to shine.

If this boy inside is ever really going to find himself- I must find him!