In part 1 of Inner Midlife Adventures, I wrote about going on  “In Here” adventures in addition to “Out There” adventures. “Inner Adventure Guide”, Mary Hoffman (Work of the Soul) has taken me on a powerful, unexpected midlife adventure.

Using your dominant hand (the one we write with) and non-dominant hand, she takes you on an interactive dialogue with that child tagging along (and tugging at you) over the decades of your life.

Each week we get together (via Skype! She also works over the phone) for another inner child adventure. Yesterday was especially powerful as she had me write a letter to my “inner child” as my adult, giving nurturing advice. “Be as flowery and poetic as you like” Mary suggests. I began to write. Immediately tears were streaming down my face as I reassured that little innocent person, all would be okay. Here’s what I wrote:

“Dear Inner Child,

You are so magical. Your smile is so bright. I see your creative self soaring through the trees of life into the sunshine of everyone’s soul. You wow me. How loving and fun you are. Your beautiful eyes and angelic face make others come running to you like a gigantic magnet.

Please be careful to not allow all that energy into yourself. Protect your sweet heart. Protect your creative being. Savor and love others. But first…you must savor and love YOU!

Look in the mirror and see the wonderful, magical you.”

Mary had me read it back to her. And yes, I was in tears again. It was like a big burden was lifted. Just by doing this exercise! It astounded me. I felt energized. Cleansed.

Adventure Tip: Stop. Look. Listen. TO YOURSELF. Being with an inner tour of yourself. It will anchor you for those thrilling “Out There” adventures!

Perhaps this midlife inner adventure of connecting us to our youth, can be the very thing to take us to that “ageless” place so many middlers are seeking.

Stay tuned for more on my Inner Midlife Adventures.

-Tracy Pattin

Tags: guides, inner adventures, inner child, letters, middle, midlife, midlife adventures, psychology, Skype