Child Exercise

An intriguing exercise to develop greater empathy for yourself and for others:

Picture yourself at a young age - even better, dig out an old photo and keep it near you. (Yes, this is me at age 3!)

When you look at this child and embrace the essence of who she (or substitute he for your own reflection) was about, what do you feel? Do you feel the innocence, the vulnerability, or the wonder of how she saw the world around her?

What were her dreams and aspirations? What made her laugh or stop in amazement? What made her scared and timid? What did she love unconditionally and what passions did she have then that remain in her heart today?

If you could give that young child advice to help her out today, what would it be? And what would she tell you that would make you pause and reconnect?

When you can embrace the love, warmth, joy, and wonder for yourself, it is so much easier to extend those emotions and to find empathy for others.

Take the time to intentionally “see” others as they may have been as a child and perhaps you will be filled with a desire to nurture, grow, support and care for their grown self as you would for their child version.

When I first did this exercise, I was overwhelmed by the flood of tenderness and protection I felt for this child (and I would also add my childhood was idyllic and drenched in love, support, and safety). I don’t often consider the importance of self-love, and after this experience, my self-talk has evolved to kinder, softer words.

Her essence, her spunk, her vivacious spirit…oh, that determination, grit, and zest…she would tell me she was unstoppable. That I am unstoppable. Wow…just wow. I get overwhelmed again just typing this out. I AM unstoppable. I still need to digest what this means, but it moves me in ways that I can't describe.

Try this exercise and let me know the impact it had with you. May it inspire you as much as it has inspired me!