18 Life Lessons I Want My Daughters To Know.

This Mother’s Day I’d like to give a gift to my daughters.

I want to give them 18 little light bulbs to illuminate their journey…

1. Don’t strive to be popular, settle for being yourself, settle into yourself .

Over the years, I’ve learned that the popular people are the most insecure. The popular girl or boy surround him or herself with others to hide from their own insecurities. When you settle for yourself, you will never settle for anyone who is not themselves.

2. Eat your dessert every day.

Every day, have a treat. Not as a reward, but as a privilege. It is an honor to taste, to enjoy, to salivate and dance with sweetness. Don’t deny yourself this privilege. You have a mouth, you have taste buds—use them.

3. Say No at least once a day.

Don’t be a people pleaser. You can’t do everything and you can’t please everyone, so say, No. By saying no, you are respecting yourself and your energy. Trust me, people will respect you more because when you do say yes, you will mean it. No one will ever question your presence or intention.

4. Never feel guilty for moving away from me, for traveling or going on an adventure.

I want you to leave me, to travel far away and only send a post card once in a while.  I didn’t birth you to burden you. I birthed you to release you.  My love is here whether you are two feet from me, or 20,000 miles away, go be you.

Let yourself get BORED!

"Let yourself get BORED sometimes.... when you stop filling up your moments with clutter, the soul has space to speak.   In the quiet, your life purpose and creativity can surface & rise up to the top of your life. "
 ~  leslie indigo alison

Try Chalk Patterns

Children know how to relax into the moment.
Try to think like a child, and sit down with some chalk and just color shapes and patterns.  
keep it super simple.   just color blocks or circles or designs in free form.   let  your mind wander. 

via http://www.seenobjects.org

It's SPRING ! Let's go outside and Treasure Hunt

Go for a walk in nature with the whimsy of a child. Leave the distractions of technology behind you for a little bit, and completely immerse yourself in the moment.

You may notice things that only your inner child eyes would see.

Reclaim your blanket

No better time for cuddling up than the start of the new year. Hanging onto your childhood blanket that gives you a little extra comfort when you need it? Reclaim your blanket as an adult by adding some essential oils, to calm and console. Try geranium or patchouli for anxiety, bergamot or orange for depression,  lavender for irritability, and frankincense or rose for loneliness.

Follow this link for more essential oils used to balance emotional states aromaweb.com

Indoor Fort

It's cold! We're indoors, and we're getting a little tired of the view from the couch.
Let's build a fort.

Gather up grandma's blankets and build a cozy little spot for some extra-special daydreaming. What treasures are you bringing in your hideout? Hot coffee, a good book, the dog? Maybe a phone call to a friend you remember fondly in forts of yore...

Childhood Dreams

Ah. It's crisp and cool, and you're climbing up the naked bough of a winter tree, looking out, high above the snowy houses and streets. The view sure is clear in the wintertime, perfect for looking back at scenes from childhood and gazing into future-dreams. What excited you when you were a child? How did you imagine life as an adult? Can you bring that inspiration into your life today?

Fashion Cue from the Kid in You

It's getting colder- time to have some whimsical fun with fashion. Let your inner child dress you up and go have some fun! Kids really mix patterns and textures together in unexpected ways. 

So have some fun!  throw on those mittens of two different colors. 
Wear that crazy scarf your aunt gave you for Christmas.  
Put on a wacky pair of tights with those boots... you have been thinking about for weeks now!

Wear that silly hat and put a little skip in your winter step.  

Bearded hats on Etsy.com

Childhood Traditions

Memories of childhood are strong during the Holidays. What traditions do you remember fondly that might wake the inner child in you? Hot spiced tea simmering on the stove top, cracking nuts by the fireplace, a new pair of cozy pj's for Christmas Eve?

Handmade

When we were children we made things for others. We drew pictures, made cards, and gifts.
Which presents did mom hold onto? The ones from the mall, or the ones from the heart?
Try a handmade gift for the holidays and reconnect with the child within that loves to create and share.

Give an Abundance to Your Inner Child

How might your childhood experience of abundance or scarcity affect you today? Can you give your inner child the abundance that you might have desired as a child? An abundance of patience? Of independence? Of respect? Of treats! 

Inner Child Dolls

Making an inner child doll is a creative way to connect to the child inside. Take a look at some of these unique inner child dolls.

Pat Winter

Sydney Lee Harmer-Larson

Jen Spears

It's playtime.

What is your doll's life story, and what can you tell your doll about life?  

Excuse me..... Can your inner child come out to play ???

"The child is in me still and sometimes not so still." 
— Fred Rogers

Come out, come out wherever you are! Can your inner child come out to play? 
Explore your world with childlike wonder today. 

How to Embrace Your Inner Child

By Sandra Magsamen  | Original Content | October 27, 2009

We are all born with the gifts of creativity, imagination, play, exploration, and curiosity. Children act on these valuable attributes freely, discovering happiness, belonging, connection and community through them.

Playing, imagining and curiosity served you well in childhood and can again be renewed to enhance your quality of life, well-being and, ultimately, your happiness as an adult.

Look with Wonder

close your eyes for just a moment  take a deep breath.

now open your eyes and look around you with the eyes of your inner child.

what do you see?
everything is new.
everything is being seen for the first time.

what do you notice?