“It’s never too late to have a happy childhood.” Michael Beckwith, circa 1994

I recall sitting in the middle of the sanctuary, and that statement hit me like a load of bricks. I didn’t understand it, and I continued to ponder Reverend Michael’s strange proclamation for over twenty years. I would wonder, to myself, what he meant and if it was true. If an adult believed that their childhood was unhappy, it would seem impossible to have a new childhood later in life. Now I understand how wrong I was.

Now I understand how wrong I was.

Just as we have five physical senses, we have six mental faculties that are always at work, forming and shaping our lives. They are our intuition, imagination, will, perception, memory, and reason. When we harness these mental powers, we can change the direction of our lives. Our unconscious is always at work. So often our mind is active, but we are not thinking. There is a difference between mental activity and thinking. When we are vigilant about our thinking, we can use our mind to accomplish our dreams. Uncovering hidden beliefs helps to unleash our power.

When we are vigilant about our thinking, we can use our mind to accomplish our dreams. Uncovering hidden beliefs helps to unleash our power.

So, what belief do you have about your childhood? Is there a story you keep repeating or replaying in your mind’s eye? Is it a story that causes your pain and discomfort?  Does the story make you feel small and powerless?

Perhaps it’s time to flip the script. I am inviting you to consider a different story, or perhaps to focus your attention on a different memory. I am not suggesting that you to pretend or suppress a memory, but rather is it possible to replace it? I am suggesting that you consider that there is another way to look at the memory. Would it be okay with you to remove all judgment about the circumstance and allow the event to become at least neutral in your mind and neither good nor bad? Could you make welcome the idea of replacing the negative thought with a memory that brings you joy?

I am inviting you to consider a different story, or perhaps to focus your attention on a different memory. I am not suggesting that you to pretend or suppress a memory, but rather is it possible to replace it? I am suggesting that you consider that there is another way to look at the memory or you could choose another place to put your focus.

Would it be okay with you to remove all judgment about the circumstance and allow the event to become at least neutral in your mind and neither good nor bad? Could you make welcome the idea of replacing the negative thought with a memory that brings you joy?

I invite you to use your mental faculties with intention and purpose. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood, let’s start now.

It’s never too late to have a happy childhood, let’s start now.