Thinking Back To Your Childhood
Forgotten Bits and Pieces of Ourselves
A book about “discovering and recovering your creative self” is The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. I enjoyed it very much, although some aspects can be a bit much (referring to the reader’s creative side as “your artist” frequently, and sometimes sounding a bit like “The Secret”. )
However, it has some very interesting perspectives and certainly may encourage the reader to remove self-imposed and other-imposed mental blocks of any kind. It is essentially a twelve-week program for opening up your thinking and creativity as well as helping you gain confidence and creative energy–but you also can simply read it and use it in ways that help you.
Among the ideas presented are that we can benefit by opening our minds to things we have closed off or forgotten about for decades. The implication is that we don’t forget, we just close off. Through remembering we may remind ourselves of things we once wanted or wanted to be, we might come to a fuller appreciation of why we are as we are today, and we may, in some ways, begin again.
I’m not certain that is the result for most people who dig deeper than usual to remember details of their childhood. My experience has been that it often results in a bit of melancholy for most people, tears for a few, and some repressed bitterness, laughed away to keep from sounding like a whiner. All of those may be very useful feelings if they are accepted and dealt with and you move on. (It was a long time ago and you have had a grownup life of your own since then!)
Nevertheless, I recall that a psychologist friend of mine once told me that almost everyone—in spite of disclaimers to the contrary–has strong memories of childhood and enjoys talking about them. I told him at the time that I thought it was easier to talk about childhood memories than to think about them. So, you may want to read these to someone and take turns talking about your responses! (Some are questions to answer, some are sentences to complete.)
1. I remember one time when I was playing outside and having fun. I was………
2. How excited I would be when I found out we were having one of my favorite things for dinner! It was…………”
3. I remember this one really good time with my Dad. It was…..
4. I remember Summer days. Some of the things I remember are…………
5. When I picture me as a child I think of this time frame more than others……. I think this is why……
6. I remember this one really good time with my Mom. It was………..
7. I’m glad I’m an adult and don’t have to keep living like my childhood. That’s why I don’t……..
8. One of the best things about me now, got started when I was just a child. It’s this…….
9. If my childhood me were here right now, I’d want to give that child this advice……..
10. If my childhood me were here right now, the child I was would smile and be glad to hear about……….
Consider sharing these with your spouse, your own children, with coworkers or a friend. But do it with a focus on appreciation for the best things rather than melancholy about the worst. They’re not the whole you, just tiny bits and pieces.
This was a great way to start a snowy morning! Mike, Denise and I had a cup of coffee and went through a few of the questions….not enough time for all of them. You were so right about responses! I’m anxious to ask my husband about them. Thanks! Phyllis
Comment by P.A.H. | March 26, 2009
Is that little girl you? Show one sometime that really shows you then. Cute! We’ve had a lot of fun with this. My favorite dinner treat was when my Mom fixed the Stroganoff Hamburger Helper and had Texas Toast with it. Yum! She still fixes that and I would rather have it than homemade food. Have a great day! D.
Comment by denisek | March 26, 2009
Some random thoughts: The Artist’s Way approaches creativity from some new ways and can be helpful for dealing with issues such as alcoholism and negative relationships. It has a non-denominational spiritual approach that some appreciate while others do not. But that’s the way with most books.
I found your questions to be very interesting on their own and think you would be effective at getting people to be more open in their thoughts.
God knows my heart better than I ever could, but I think like a loving parent He wants us to understand ourselves and use our minds and hearts both during our life here.
Blessings to you today! Don
Comment by Don R. | March 26, 2009
Well, what have we here? A baby picture?
I really don’t remember much about my childhood…too long ago. But when I started thinking about it today after reading this I remembered a good time with my Dad and a good time with my Mama. I hadn’t thought about those things in a long time, so I guess your questions get results from me, Dr. Tina.
You don’t want to be traveling up here for the next few days. I-80 is closed and so is I-25 to Cheyenne. Wait until mid-May cause it’s a death trap right now.
Comment by Wiseacre | March 26, 2009
Tina says: Thanks to all of you for your comments. I’ve emailed you to say hello. Thank you, Don, for your added information about The Artists Way. You always add something worthwhile. (The rest of you do too.) 🙂
And, Wiseacre, you don’t need to worry about me traveling there. I’ve been so traumatized on I-80, and even worse on the back way to Fort Collins, that I won’t ever go up there if I think it’s snowing!
Keep remembering!
Comment by TLR | March 26, 2009
I got the book used. Really interesting!
Something else they mention as a fill in the blank:
1. If my childhood had been different I could have……
2. If it wasn’t too late I would…………
Of course she reminds people that we can do all we want in spite of our childhood, and it’s not too late.
I love your website! Its really different and I get something from it every time. Thanks! Zedra W. (From the Business Educators Association.)
Comment by Reader | March 28, 2009
Good post, Tina. I know what you mean about thinking about childhood memories. Too much deep thinking can drive a person to drink! I’d like to hear your responses to each of those questions. Maybe sometime? Rick
Comment by Rick S. | March 30, 2009