CLIMB A TREE

Have you ever been walking down the street and seen a big tree and had an impulse to climb it?You pause,glance around to see if anyone is looking and then walk on,feeling a little foolish.Your inner child was speaking and you didn't listen.Driving down the road on a rainy day,you see a big puddle.It's almost irresistible,that urge to drive through it and make a big splash,but you don't.Ever want to stop on the way home from work and buy a double scoop rainbow ice-cream cone,even though it'll spoil your dinner?I have.The difference between us is,that I did it and you didn't.It was delicious,that forbidden fruit.It made me chuckle all the way home.

Now,don't tell me you don't have an inner child.We all do.It's the little child you were,who desired to be nurtured,cared for,loved and indulged.The child who delighted in things,was carefree and had fun.This child still dwells within you as an adult and has shaped you and will continue to influence you all your life.You may have matured and tried to channel,control and silence it,but there it is,needing to be set free now and again.

If your childhood was unhappy,then you,of all people,should embrace that child,and heal it.Speak to your inner child and say to it,"I love you,I accept you,I'll protect you and give you all the things you've missed."Then,go directly to Disneyworld.

The child you were,knows how to have fun,for fun's sake and can help you prevent burnout and manage the stress in your life.So,now and then,listen,and let go of your mature,serious,somewhat anal,task oriented demeanor and let your child out.Follow an impulse.Climb a tree,paddle in a stream,eat ice-cream till you feel nauseous,whatever floats your boat.It is so freeing,you'll chuckle all the way home.