Can Your Inner Child Come Out to Play?

             Did you know that seriousness breeds anxiety and creates tension, one of the main causes of the problems we experience in mind, body, and spirit? Therefore, it is helpful for us to learn to laugh—at ourselves and at our circumstances. Studies show laughter lowers our blood pressure, strengthens the immune system, and promotes emotional healing.

Some people find it helpful to come up with a phrase to serve as a cue to not take themselves or life too seriously. Some I have used include lighten up and God got jokes. I also think of Mr. Roarke’s directive during each week’s episode of Fantasy Island, raising his drink and saying “Smiles, everyone.” Use whatever resonates for you.  

There is something to be said for the “fake it ‘til you make it” school of thought, as well. There is a Zen Buddhist technique that suggests you jump out of bed first thing in the morning, and spend 10 minutes assuming the most ridiculous postures you can achieve, then laughing at yourself. I have cracked myself up this way. Also, my friend and healing sister, Savitri Khalsa, performs laughter therapy. I have experienced it several times, and even featured her on my radio show a couple of years ago. In her sessions, she will lead us through various exercises, like standing in a circle and just laughing, starting with a smile, then a giggle, a chuckle, and gradually building the intensity and the momentum. To my surprise, I have found I was sincerely laughing, with belly-clutching guffaws I hadn’t experienced since the days of watching Keenan Ivory Wayan’s brilliant TV show, In Living Color. I experienced the results of the release of endorphins, providing that feel-good effect, which opens up an opportunity for joy to just flood right in. 

One of the most important reasons for being alive is to experience life—and despite what you see on the evening news or populating Facebook and Twitter, there is so much joy to be found in life. A dear friend Suzanne Tignor, now in spirit, often quoted William Blake’s Eternity by saying “kiss the joy as it flies by.” And children best teach us about fully experiencing life and kissing the joy. Just take the time and observe children for a while in their natural interactions with the world. Kids know how to really laugh and play, if something doesn’t happen to disrupt their sense of safety (that is a whole other topic). 

When children play, they put their whole selves into it. They are joyful and truly fascinated with their surroundings. They let their imagination run wild, they try out various behaviors as they imitate others, and they feel free to be silly. All of that is their nourishment, just as crucial as oatmeal. And we, as adults, need to remember to nourish our inner children, as well. Practice the “f” word—fun! Look at the world with wonder. Let our imaginations loose. Try on some new lightweight clothing--get our silly suit on. All this gives us energy to meet the challenges of our busy day, and provides a great dose of preventive medicine.

I encourage you to take a break from the joy-draining energies emanating from bills, computer, cell phone, and 24-7 news reports. Stop taking life so seriously and tap into that sense of joy, lightness and laughter. Remember, it can become quite stuffy inside, so let your inner child come out to play. Your mind, body, and spirit will thank you.

To listen to my podcast, Mind, Body & Soul Food, visit www.blogtalkradio.com/tonyaparker. Purchase a print, Kindle or audio version of Diary of a Witch’s Daughter, my young adult novel with holistic and metaphysical themes at http://tinyurl.com/diaryofawitchsdaughteronamazon.