Healing the Child Within

The child you once were does not disappear. They do not fade into the past like an old photograph or dissolve with the passage of time. They live within you still woven into your fears, your longings, your habits of self-protection. They are there in the way your body tenses at a raised voice, in the way you hesitate before asking for what you need, in the ache you feel when love seems just out of reach.

Healing is not about leaving this child behind. It is about turning toward them with the love and presence they were once denied.

Trauma is not just what happened to us it is what did not happen. It is the touch that never came, the safety that was absent, the soothing voice that never told us, You are enough just as you are. When we experience wounding at a young age, we do not just lose a moment in time. We lose trust, we lose connection, we lose the full expression of who we were meant to be. The child learns to survive, to adapt, to become small, quiet, or pleasing anything to maintain attachment. And so, they remain trapped in us, frozen in time, waiting for someone to come back for them.

But no one is coming except you.

Healing is not about discarding the past, as if we could simply will ourselves into a new story. It is about remembering. Not in the sense of reliving pain endlessly, but in the sense of reclaiming what was lost. To truly heal, we must become the very presence our younger selves longed for. We must speak to them gently, hold them in their sorrow, let them grieve the love they never received.

We do not heal by rejecting the child within us. We heal by turning toward them and saying:

“I see you. I know how much it hurt. I know how alone you felt. But I am here now. You are no longer abandoned. You are no longer unseen. You are safe with me.”

This is the work: to break the cycle of self-abandonment. To stop running from the echoes of our past and instead meet them with tenderness. Healing does not mean forgetting it means integrating. It means that the child who once felt unworthy of love is finally given the love they always deserved. It means that the pain that once defined us becomes the doorway to our deepest wisdom.

And so, the question is not whether the child within us still exists. The question is whether we will have the courage to go back for them.

- Connected By Nature

A Love Freely Given

Compassion, in its purest essence, is a healer beyond measure. Love—true love—is not a sculptor, chiseling away at another’s edges to fit an ideal. No, love is the gentle sunbeam that warms a frozen river until it flows of its own accord, shaping its path as it will.  

To love another is not to demand metamorphosis but to offer a space so sacred, so untainted by judgment, that transformation becomes inevitable. Not a conversion to some imposed image but a blossoming into the highest expression of one’s soul. This is the magic of love: it liberates rather than confines, elevates rather than possesses.  

Imagine the sheer miracle of being held in a gaze that does not seek to alter you but honors you as you are—your essence, imperfections, tangled thoughts, and tender scars. It is to be seen not for what you do or what you have but for the raw, radiant being that pulses beneath all pretense. A love like this does not measure or withhold; it simply 'is' as effortless and essential as breath.  

And oh, what a transformation it ignites! A love freely given, with no expectation or demand, is the balm that coaxes the weary soul from its solitude. Suddenly, the world appears reborn. The sky hums with possibility. Footsteps become lighter, laughter spills easier, and the once-muted colors of life regain their brilliance. A single touch, a single moment of unconditional acceptance, and the frozen parts of ourselves begin to thaw.  

This is why love—real love—is nourishment. It does not barter affection for obedience. It does not tally shortcomings or issue ultimatums. It stands unwavering as an invitation: 'Be as you are. I will love you still.'  

So, let love remain untamed. Let it be a sanctuary, not a prison. Let it weave harmony instead of discord. Acceptance instead of judgment. In such love, we do not merely exist—we become.  

Let it last. Let it heal. Let it be the revolution that starts in the heart.  

- Katie Kamara

My Dragon Dream

 

From Journal Entry 6/25/24

I'm in the yard of my childhood home.  I spot a translucent dragon in the sky flying towards me. I run to the house and lock the door.

A dragon dream can signify a powerful awakening, your inner fire demanding recognition. They remind us to face our fears, seek knowledge, and live in alignment with your inner truths. They call us to master ourselves and remind you of your hidden power waiting to be unleashed.

Until You're Finished Being Single

I'm going to say this once. 

Never get into a serious relationship until you're finished being single. 

Never invite someone into your life if you don't have the space for them in your life to begin with. 

Never open up a person's heart with no intention on catching them when they fall in love with you. 

There are good genuine people in the dating world right now willing to give everything they are to have a stable and healthy relationship with someone they have longed for ever since they can remember. 

Take my advice and if you're not ready to step up to the plate, take your hands off another person's future. 

~ Cody Bret

The Dreams of Emery

Emery was a childhood friend of my brother. He was over often. We would play together... chasing each other through the house and playing hide and seek. Emery was the first boy I had a crush on. 

My freshman year of high school would be the last I'd see of him. I moved to Phoenix from East Peoria, Illinois (1991).   But over the years I'd have dreams of him. There are 3 that stand out.

In the first dream Emery was using drugs. He was in despair and wanted help but felt all alone. 

That dream prompted me to try to find him. I couldn't find him but found his brother Byron and his wife. I sent Byron's wife a message through Facebook.  I told her who I was and the dream I had of Emery.  She never replied. So I let it go.

Around 2016, I had another dream. This one was just as alarming.  In the dream Emery was in a house. There were police sirens out front. The cops busted in. He was trying to hide from them but was arrested. 

I did an internet search and found an article from the Pekin police department about his arrest. He was arrested for a sexual assult with a minor. I was shocked!

In the third dream, Emery showed me a memory from his childhood.  A partner/ boyfriend of his mother molested him. 

His parents were divorced.  When I knew him in my youth, he lived with his dad. His mom lived in Jacksonville, Florida.  I remember he moved there for a short time during school.  The dream gave me insight into his childhood wounds and his mental state. 

In 2023, I had another dream about him. This time when I looked him up on the internet, I found his obituary dating back to 2020. I was shocked! The Emery I remembered had so much talent, charisma, and potential.  

There are victims amongst us... they could be friends or coworkers or even our partners that harbour dark secrets. They move through life masking their pain. They live with depression, shame, and guilt. It's important to pray for others. It's important to be conscious of others that suffer. It's important not to forget the names of those we love who suffer also from addiction and keep them always in our hearts. 

Your Soul Knows

 

If your inner teacher tells you that you need time for yourself, listen to it.

If your soul tells you that you no longer vibrate with some people you used to share with, calm down is part of your evolution.

If your spirit asks you to connect more and start working on your balance, listen to it.

If your body asks you to eat better, walk and sleep more hours, allow it.

If your life tells you that this job is no longer for you, it's time to take a new course.

If your heart tells you that you no longer feel full with that partner, follow your heart, it knows the way.

If your life tells you to change your habits, thoughts and routines, look for other ways.

If your heart screams for you to travel, do it and don't make excuses.

You know what medicine you need.

Learn to listen to yourself, connect with your inner teacher and open up to all the signs that come your way.

~ Author Unknown 

Resilience is a Quiet Defiance

Ernest Hemingway once wrote: "The hardest lesson I’ve had to learn as an adult is the relentless need to keep going, no matter how shattered I feel inside."

This truth is both raw and universal. Life doesn’t pause when our hearts are heavy, our minds are fractured, or our spirits feel like they’re unraveling. It keeps moving—unrelenting, unapologetic—demanding that we move with it. There’s no time to stop, no pause for repair, no moment of stillness where we can gently piece ourselves back together. The world doesn’t wait, even when we need it to.

What makes this even harder is that no one really prepares us for it. As children, we grow up on a steady diet of stories filled with happy endings, tales of redemption and triumph where everything always falls into place. But adulthood strips away those comforting narratives. Instead, it reveals a harsh truth: survival isn’t glamorous or inspiring most of the time. It’s wearing a mask of strength when you’re falling apart inside. It’s showing up when all you want is to retreat. It’s choosing to move forward, step by painful step, when your heart begs for rest.

And yet, we endure. That’s the miracle of being human—we endure. Somewhere in the depths of our pain, we find reserves of strength we didn’t know we possessed. We learn to hold space for ourselves, to be the comfort we crave, to whisper words of hope when no one else does. Over time, we realize that resilience isn’t loud or grandiose; it’s a quiet defiance, a refusal to let life’s weight crush us entirely.

Yes, it’s messy. Yes, it’s exhausting. And yes, there are days when it feels almost impossible to take another step. But even then, we move forward. Each tiny step is proof of our resilience, a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we’re still fighting, still refusing to give up. That fight—that courage—is the quiet miracle of survival.

~ Author Unknown 

When a Man Shows Up

A lot of people ask what men truly want, and the answer is really simple. A woman can’t fully honor and appreciate a man’s efforts if she doesn’t feel safe and secure with him. This is something we all need to understand. When a man creates that sense of safety, she will naturally give back love, care, and respect.

When a man takes responsibility and shows up with honesty, he creates a space where his partner feels protected. This is what allows her to open up, to trust, and to love fully. She feels safe, not just physically, but emotionally too. And when a woman feels secure, she will treat her partner with admiration and kindness. She will see him as her rock, someone she can count on.

It’s not about controlling the relationship or demanding respect. It’s about doing what’s right, being there for each other in both the good and tough times. When a man does that, he earns his partner’s love in a way that’s real and deep. She will honor him because she knows he’s got her back.

Men often want to feel like they’re valued, like their efforts matter. But this doesn’t come from forcing it. It comes naturally when a man shows care and responsibility. A woman who feels secure with her partner will give her heart fully. She’ll support him, respect him, and show him love without holding back.

When a man listens, understands, and stands by his partner, she will feel that connection and give him all the love he needs. It’s not about grand gestures; it’s the small, everyday actions that show he cares. That’s what makes her want to treat him like a king.

A man’s role is to make his partner feel safe, emotionally and physically. When he does that, he earns her respect. She knows she can rely on him, and this builds a trust that’s hard to break. With that trust comes love, admiration, and a deeper bond.

This isn’t about one person doing all the work; it’s about being there for each other. A man who creates that feeling of safety will have a partner who supports him and shows him love in return. She will be his strength, just as he is hers.

No relationship is perfect, and there will be times when things feel hard. But if both partners are committed to making each other feel safe and appreciated, they can get through anything together. It’s all about showing up for one another with love and care.

If a man takes responsibility and makes his partner feel secure, he will be treated with love, care, and respect. It’s a natural give-and-take that creates a strong and lasting connection. He’ll feel like a king, not because he asks for it, but because he has earned it by being a steady, loving partner.

So, my dear friends, when a man steps into his role with responsibility, he will receive all the love, attention, and honor he desires. It’s not about being perfect, but about creating a space where both partners can feel safe and loved. And when that happens, love flows naturally, and both partners thrive.

- Abhikesh

Unanswered Goodbyes

There’s a unique kind of pain in a goodbye that’s never spoken. It’s not the parting itself that lingers but the silence that follows—the questions left unanswered, the moments unresolved. These farewells, steeped in ambiguity, leave us suspended in a haze of emotions, caught between what was and what could have been. The absence of explanation becomes its own ache, an invisible weight that follows us. Yet within this discomfort lies an invitation—not just to grieve but to grow.

Life rarely gives us the closure we crave. The human heart longs for certainty, for neat conclusions that allow us to move forward without hesitation. We seek reasons, hoping that clarity will somehow ease the pain. But when someone leaves without explanation, the narrative is left open-ended, and the mind races to fill the void. We replay conversations, reexamine memories, and question ourselves endlessly. Was it something we said or didn’t say? Was it avoidable? Could things have been different?

Yet the truth is, life isn’t always meant to be understood in the moment. Not every story comes with a tidy resolution. Some chapters end abruptly, forcing us to grapple with ambiguity. And while this can feel like a betrayal of our need for understanding, it also holds a profound lesson: the opportunity to cultivate peace within ourselves, even when the world around us feels unresolved.

Every goodbye—spoken or unspoken—has something to teach us. The ones without explanation, though the most painful, are also the most transformative. They force us to confront the limits of our control. They teach us patience, resilience, and the difficult art of letting go. In their silence, they challenge us to create our own closure, to find healing not in the answers we seek but in the strength we discover within.

Thinkers and philosophers have long explored this idea of finding meaning in the face of uncertainty. The Stoics, for example, remind us that while we cannot control the actions of others, we can control our response to them. Marcus Aurelius, in his meditations, speaks of anchoring oneself in the present, finding tranquility within rather than searching for it in the external world. Seneca, too, reflects on the danger of expectations, reminding us that much of our suffering stems not from what happens to us but from how tightly we hold on to the way we believe life should be.

Unanswered goodbyes force us into this space of introspection. They strip away our illusions of control and remind us that closure is not something we can demand from others. True closure comes from within. It’s not about understanding why someone left or what might have gone wrong—it’s about learning to release the need for those answers. It’s about finding peace in the present, despite the shadows of the past.

This process isn’t easy. It requires us to sit with discomfort, to confront our pain without the solace of resolution. It demands that we practice forgiveness—not necessarily for the one who left, but for ourselves. Forgiveness for the moments we doubted our worth, for the times we replayed what we could not change. It asks us to extend compassion inward, to remind ourselves that our value is not determined by someone else’s choice to stay or go.

Over time, we come to understand that some stories are meant to remain unfinished. Their lessons unfold gradually, teaching us about our capacity for strength and grace. The silence of an unspoken goodbye, painful as it is, becomes a canvas for growth. It challenges us to redefine our idea of closure—not as an external resolution but as an internal state of acceptance.

We learn to trust ourselves again. To believe in our ability to navigate the uncertainties of life. Relationships, while beautiful and enriching, are not the sole source of our identity or strength. An unanswered goodbye pushes us to look inward, to discover that we are enough as we are, whole even without the explanations we once thought we needed.

The pain of an unresolved farewell doesn’t vanish overnight. It ebbs and flows, teaching us patience along the way. But with time, we find that its edges soften. The unanswered questions lose their urgency, and the silence becomes less a wound and more a space—a space where we can choose to create meaning, to cultivate resilience, and to honor our own journey.

So what do we take from these silent endings? Perhaps the most important lesson is this: we are not defined by what we’ve lost but by how we rise after losing it. The strength to move forward without answers, the courage to heal without resolution—these are quiet victories, testaments to the depth of our resilience.

Ask yourself: What does it mean to let go of the need for closure? What would it look like to trust in your ability to find peace, even in the midst of uncertainty? The answers to these questions are not easy, but they are profoundly freeing. They remind us that we are the authors of our own healing, the creators of our own meaning.

Yes, some goodbyes can be painful beyond words. But they are also transformative. They challenge us to let go, to grow, and to find strength in the silence. And in doing so, they reveal the quiet beauty of our own resilience—a beauty that no unanswered question or unresolved farewell can ever take away.

~ Coach Mantas 

Procrastination

Procrastination is not the absence of will—it’s the presence of pain, a quiet signal of a battle fought in silence. It’s not laziness; it’s the weight of an invisible storm pressing on the soul, a resistance born not from boredom but from unspoken wounds.  

We procrastinate not because we don’t care but because we care so deeply that it immobilizes us. Each delayed task whispers a fear of failure, perfectionism masked as avoidance, or the simple exhaustion of a spirit too weary to carry the load. Procrastination is the heart’s way of pausing, asking, “Are you sure we’re ready for this?.”

But here’s the breathtaking truth: it transforms once you meet it with understanding instead of judgment. Like a river unblocked, the energy that procrastination held captive begins to flow. It reveals that the time you thought you were wasting was time spent holding space for your own healing.  

And then, almost like magic, it dissolves—not through force, but through love. You awaken to the realization that time was never your enemy. You forget how to waste it because every moment, even the quiet ones, becomes sacred.  

Procrastination isn’t a flaw. It’s a map leading you back to the places within yourself that ache for your kindness, courage, and light. Listen to it. Heal through it. And when you emerge on the other side, you’ll find a version of yourself you never knew you were becoming—a self unburdened, unstoppable, free.

-Katie Kamara