Healing the Child Within

'Peace, Love, and Healing' by Bernie S. Siegel, M.D.

Painting by -Jane Gotts

.Do things that bring you a sense of fulfillment, joy, and purpose, that validate your worth. See your life as your own creation, and strive to make it a positive one.

.Pay close and loving attention to yourself, turning in to your needs on all levels. Take care of yourself, nourishing, supporting, and encouraging yourself.

.Release all negative emotions--resentment, envy, fear, sadness, anger. Express your feelings appropriately; don't hold on to them. Forgive yourself.

.Hold positive images and goals in your mind, pictures of what you truly want in your life. When fearful images arise, re-focus on images that evoke feelings of peace and joy.

.Love yourself, and love everyone else. Make loving the purpose and primary expression in your life.

.Create fun, loving, honest relationships, allowing for the expression and fulfillment of needs for intimacy and security. Try to heal any wounds in past relationships, as with old lovers, and mother and father.

.Make a positive contribution to your community, through some form of work or service that you value and enjoy.

.Make a commitment to health and well-being, and develop a belief in the possibility of total health. Develop your own healing program, drawing on the support and advice of experts without becoming enslaved to them.

.Accept yourself and everything in your life as an opportunity for growth and learning. Be grateful. When you f--k up, forgive yourself, learn what you can from the experience.

.Keep sense of humor.