Today’s exercise was unique; it also resonates specifically with me as I am on my own journey to find an inner happiness and joy that encompasses more than capitalistic values.

Essentially the message today is to really connect with your own inner child through your hopes and dreams for others. Dr. Schaefer says:

Strengthening our own self-love is the pathway to having more unconditional love to offer to others, and the first step is to begin to see ourselves as worthy and full of potential.

To begin to see the full potential find a photograph of a young child that you love; any child will do regardless of their relationship to you. Look into the eyes of this child and think about all the things you hope for them — do you wish happiness? Well being? Serenity? Whatever your thoughts are, write them down and keep them in mind.

For me, I used a photo of my new grandchild, now 4 months old. For him I wish happiness, and a drive to feel peace and easiness with himself and the world.  I wish him success, whatever that might end up looking like, and a belief in himself that doesn’t dim over time.

Now the idea here is then to transfer these thoughts to your own childhood. Would you not wish these same things on a reflection of your own childhood self? Well, it is possible to still have these things for ourselves and, according to Dr. Shaefer, “the more love you possess, the more you can give to others!” I’m all for it! On with the show

Here’s the laugh of the day to ponder and enjoy:

A guy joins a monastery and takes a vow of silence: he’s allowed to say two words every seven years. After the first seven years, the elders bring him in and ask for his two words. “Cold floors,” he says. They nod and send him away. Seven more years pass. They bring him back in and ask for his two words. He clears his throats and says, “Bad food.” They nod and send him away. Seven more years pass. They bring him in for his two words. “I quit,” he says. “That’s not surprising,” the elders say. “You’ve done nothing but complain since you got here.”