Your Authentic Self

You can see it in his eyes.

When you ask him a question, he studies you as if looking for the answer; or maybe he just responds with a smile or a soft sigh.

He takes his time when trying out a new toy; he studies each piece and has to make a choice between one thing or another; he seems reluctant to let one go for the other; he goes back and forth then settles, satisfied--for the moment.

He remembers the song on his piano as you sing it to him; he smiles and laughs in recognition of the tune and even tries to sing along with new longer sounds.

He studies different fabrics, whether the softness of a blouse, the waffle-like pattern on a robe, or the string from a tie. He fingers them slowly, repeatedly as he absorbs texture, movement, color.

His laughter is soft sometimes, depending on what he is responding to; perhaps a repeated song or a question. Or when he is asked a question and given an answer with a funny animal sound or two, he laughs heartily, showing his growing, unique sense of humor.

He makes choices; when he goes too far from his center on the living room floor, he is called back. He turns each time he hears his name and decides what to do. Sometimes he's not sure and wants to keep going. Often he turns around to return to center where he knows he'll enjoy interaction and play with another.

He hangs on to his Nuk Sippy Cup, the one with the blue and orange handles, after he finishes chugging it in less than a minute, even when you suggest giving it up to be washed.

He is already experiencing what it is to possess something.

He also knows when something doesn't belong to him and you say no.
He cannot put other's clothes in his mouth; he cannot pull at necklaces and earrings.
He knows, with reminders, what  his boundaries are.
Sometimes he pushes them; other times he remains content to just be.

Choices. Memory. Response. Desire. Action.

All requirements to develop an authentic self.

He doesn't wonder if he is authentic in his personality; he just absorbs the love, the care, and the sincerity that surrounds him and grows naturally from that place.

Sometimes it can help to return to that natural inner child; the place of authenticity, of a new reality.

Each choice, each memory, each response, each desire, each action has potential to teach what is not known, to inspire to greatness, to reveal inner workings of the mind and heart, and to nurture what is true and lovely on the inside.

Listen to your heart; pay attention to what you are drawn to; love yourself; aspire to do your best with what you have.

Your Authentic Self will emerge and grow as you look to sincerely be who you really are.
In all of your beautiful, magical, creative, practical, and logical dimensions.

Let your Inner Child refresh you from the inside out...and watch what happens.

© 2012 by Dawn Herring