When we talk about the inner child, we're referring to an image of your child self. This image may be one that you access by looking at a photograph of yourself as a child, or simply by closing your eyes and picturing yourself as a child. Let's look at some of the different aspects of the child within:

The inner child of the past. This is an image of yourself that matches with a certain time in your own past. This child can help you find and access memories and feelings that will help with your healing. S/he may appear sad, lonely, lost, afraid or deeply hurt. Your brain might sometimes give you an image that is confusing at first. Whatever picture your mind provides you has valuable information. Trust your mind to provide you with the images of your child self that will inform you about the inner work you need to do.

The inner child of the present. While the inner child of the past helps you with your healing, the inner child of the present helps you with your self-care on a current basis. You won't get accurate readings about your present emotional state from the child image until the inner child of the past is relatively nourished and healed. The work you have to do with the past child will fade over time, and the relationship with your inner child of the present will grow stronger, deeper and more enjoyable. Use this present aspect of the child within by checking in on a regular basis to see how you're doing emotionally. Just close your eyes and picture yourself as a child. Depending on your inner clarity and where you are on your healing journey, this image will give you a current reading on your state of emotional health.

THE INNER CHILDREN OF YOUR FUTURE

Some of the images of your inner child can be a kind of bellwether for you, indicating future possibilities for your development and self-expression. Here are four different images to consider:

The divine child. Carl Jung refers to the divine child as one of the archetypes in some of his writings (C. Jung and C. Kerenyi, 1969). One of the definitions of the word "divine" is simply "from God." If you believe we come from God, or the Creator of the Universe, then you can accept this idea. The divine child is radiant, pure, innocent, open and vulnerable. The divine child remembers where s/he came from, and never loses the connection. This is an image of our inner spiritual nature. This reconnection with the divine is the reward for your inner journey of healing, and can be seen as a doorway to a deeper and more fulfilling connection with your Creator.

The magical/creative child. This image of the child suggests a wellspring of wonderful energy. From this wellspring emerge your humor, spontaneity, creativity, joy and capacity for unconditional love. This is another way of looking at the divine child, as these qualities too are the reward for your journey of self-discovery and healing. The magical/creative child also provides a doorway to wisdom and undeveloped powers, suggesting a connection between the child and the wise elder that also lives inside each of us.

The playful child. Think of exuberance, light, energy and unabashed self-expression. This image can be seen as the magical child in action, bringing varieties of physical playfulness into everyday behavior. Since most of you had some opportunity to play as a child, accessing this part of yourself is a matter of remembering. For others of you who never had the safety in your home to play, you may have to learn how to play for the first time. Children and animals are your best teachers. Also, some adults may actually be able to help you to play!

The integrated child. As you heal, grow, expand and develop into the magnificent, brilliant being you were meant to be, all of the wonderful aspects of the child become diffuse throughout your mind, body and self-expression. In other words, the wonderful child aspects and qualities we are discussing here are available to you as an adult at any given moment on any given day in any given situation.

Your relationship with your inner child is the key to learning and maintaining self-love. This is a doorway to literally everything you want in life. The more you love yourself, the more you will be motivated to care for yourself and work diligently to create the life of your dreams. Your inner child loves to feel good and be happy, so one of the best ways you can care for this wonderful part of yourself is to become a Goodfinder!