a lifetime of learning
(or perhaps because of it)
the child in you
may very well be
your clearest channel
to eternal happiness.
I recall that
at a very young age,
I knew how to separate
the effect of happiness
from the cause of happiness.
I knew the feeling of happiness
as something I could call up at any time.
Happiness was a place
I could go without transportation.
The strange thing is,
I am just realizing this now.
I find that I still have this ability,
but I haven’t used it in a while.
Not knowingly, anyway.
I thank the child in me
for the reminder.
Trail Wood,
3/1
Rediscovering Inner Joy
The Timeless Wisdom of the Child Within
The journey through life is often a process of learning, unlearning, and relearning, with one of the most profound lessons being the rediscovery of our innate capacity for happiness. This reflection explores the enduring wisdom of the child within us, a reminder that happiness is not always a destination to reach but a state of being we can choose at any moment.
The Eternal Channel to Happiness
The child within us serves as a clear channel to eternal happiness, unobstructed by the complexities and burdens that adulthood often brings. This inner child remembers the simplicity of joy—that happiness is a place within us, accessible without the need for external validation or material accomplishment. It is a reminder that, despite the accumulation of knowledge and experience, the essence of true happiness remains unchanged.
Reconnecting with the Source of Joy
As adults, we often forget this simple yet profound truth. The realization that happiness is an innate state, one that we knew how to access effortlessly in our youth, is both startling and liberating. It suggests that the capacity for joy is not lost with age but merely obscured by layers of life’s intricacies. Reconnecting with the child within us is an invitation to peel back these layers, to rediscover the unadulterated happiness that resides at our core.
The Practice of Happiness
The acknowledgment of our ability to summon happiness at will is a powerful act of self-awareness. It requires us to recognize and appreciate the childlike wonder and purity we still possess, encouraging us to cultivate these qualities in our daily lives. This practice of happiness is not a regression to childhood but an integration of its timeless wisdom into our adult existence, allowing us to navigate life with a lighter heart and a more joyful spirit.
Summary
The child within us holds the key to eternal happiness, a reminder that joy is not dependent on external circumstances but is a state of being we can access at any time. Reconnecting with this inner source of happiness offers a path to a more fulfilled and joyful life, guided by the simplicity and purity of our childlike essence.
Glossarium
- Innate: Existing in one from birth; inborn; natural.
- Eternal Happiness: A state of enduring joy and contentment that is not contingent on external factors.
- Self-Awareness: The conscious knowledge of one’s own character, feelings, motives, and desires.
“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” — Dalai Lama
in the laughter of a child,
and the quiet smiles of the aged,
lies a truth so profound—
happiness, a light within,
ever bright, never fading,
a guide back to innocence
and a testament to joy unbound.
—within us, always,
the child’s wisdom endures.
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