little kid inside

I had a therapist once.

Strike that.
I’ve had many a therapist.
I mean, really McGee-let’s call a spade a spade.

But this one guy, Richard, changed the way I think about life and people. It was like he picked up the snow globe that was McGee, shook me all up and set me back down never to have the snow drop in the same spot again.

Thank God for Richard.
Literally.

The single most intimidating concept that Richard worked with was that inside each of us remained a little child; innocent, scared, timid, loving and carefree. Our adults subconsciously protect that little child by putting up defense mechanisms, acting out, chasing people away, putting on a tough outer shell and a myriad of other things. Often the inner child was hurt, emotionally stunted or experienced something significant at some point and they become the back seat passenger of life that we, as adults, protect. Richard’s was named Richie and he was in touch with that kid in amazing ways. Because of that, Richard made peace with life enough that he doesn’t need to protect little Richie as much as rejoice in him and embrace the innocent, pure love that he gives.

Mine? Let’s just call her little mcgee.

Cut to Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.
Have you figured out yet that my biggest addiction is to reality TV?
Did you know that Dr. Drew is one of my celebrity crushes?
Probably a bit of transference there!

So on this week’s episode of Celebrity Rehab they show the patients a video set to music of their younger selves-way back when they were little kids, through the good years and then touch on the rougher years before wrapping it up. Tom Sizemore is a patient (have I really blogged his name twice already? Weird. Right?) and he does all he can to keep it together but finally the flood gates break and that great big burned out tough man sobs.  He sobs for his youth, for his innocence, for the young man that he was. It was heart breaking.

And then I thought about Richard.
And little Richie.

I could see the little boy in that Tom Sizemore and it made me look at him a little differently. Was he an idiot? Sure. Was he out of control before he checked in? Yup. Was he harmful to others? Probably. But under all that I saw the little boy too-the one that was probably hurt at a young age and retreated way deep down. The scared little boy that wanted to do good and be great and life a fantastic life. And I had a little more compassion for him, a little more understanding and a little less judgment.

And then it left me wondering…

What would life be like if I actively sought out the inner child in the people around me? Not only the ones I love but also the ones I don’t even like.

Would I see them differently?
Would I be able to forgive them faster?
Dislike them less?
Or at least tolerate them more gracefully?

And what would happen if I let little mcgee out to play a little more?

Feels dangerous.
And vulnerable.

But I bet it would be more fun.

McGee