One of society’s principle struggles is between the responsible adult and the playful child. The reality is that we are born as infinite beings full of wonder and joy; we are entirely innocent, curious, and inspired to learn. The mind of a child is clear, like a crystal prism reflecting the surrounding lights. But as we grow, we are taught to follow certain instructions and beliefs about life, which limit our potential. It is through this process of “growing up” that the crystal prism turns into a dark prison, as we are constrained from leading a rich, fulfilling, and creative life.
How could we help ourselves? Everywhere you look there is a certain ideal that is being followed and unless we connect to our own unique potentials, we become dry and conflicted. We must follow things that make us come alive, things that inspire us to grow and expand and the social norm does not always provide that for us. It is your duty, to yourself and to the world, to honor your passions and act on them. Use the power of your inner child to wander freely every once in a while, without any constraints. Just as you once explored the playground for toys and hidden treasures, you can search the world for buried inspirations. Draw on the energy of your adult self to assess what is practical and implement the path that works for you. The world is your playground.
In a way, the mature self is one who lives out the performance of dreams by harmonizing the inner child with the intelligence of adulthood. The mature self is the artist of his or her own visions. We need to tap into our ambitions that naturally motivate us to explore, build, and play. We can be free to be undefined and do unusual things that others may not be accustomed to. We must nurture the inner artist and let it express its’ infinite potentials. Some adults believe they are supposed to act a certain way, which explains their frustrations. Some adults forgot how to play.