Childhood Memories

When filmmaker Steven Spielberg was seven years old, he created a plastic human skull with a red light shining through the eye sockets, hid it in a walk-in closet and used it to scare his three little sisters. Sound familiar? It became the basis for a memorable scene in his classic scary movie, Poltergeist. When Donald Trump was a boy, he borrowed his brother’s building blocks, built a masterpiece structure, and then (to his brother’s dismay!) glued the blocks together.

What did you do as a child that revealed your life’s work? If you haven’t yet come to that point, try looking back to help you identify where you’re meant to be. What we often dismiss as child’s play can actually be clues to our future occupation or life’s purpose.

Back up
So think back on how you played as a child… Did you have a favorite toy or book? What did you watch on TV? Did you create a grand Barbie palace (and later become an interior designer)? What were your favorite subjects in school? Make a list of what has been constant in your life since childhood. Then look to see if there is a pattern.

Read this
The authors of Unlocking the Secrets of Your Childhood Memories, Dr. Kevin Leman and Randy Carlson, say that through the Law of Creative Consistency we only remember those events from childhood that are consistent with our present view of ourselves in the world around us. Our early memories paint a picture of our genuine self, not who we become after years of socialization.

It’s easy
Isn’t it ironic that being our true selves can be both the easiest and most difficult thing to do in life? Look at it this way: It’s difficult when you doubt yourself and believe that other people know better what is right for you. On the flip side, it’s easy when you believe in yourself and trust your own judgment. Easier said than done, right?

Try it
If you want to organize your memories to get in touch with your true self, try this exercise. It can help reveal your life path.

Relax and allow your mind to drift back to your earliest childhood memory. 1) Write it down focusing on the clearest part. 2) Next, write down the feeling attached to that memory. 3) Label that memory #1.

Think back to your first traumatic, painful, fearful, or upsetting memory (if your earliest memory was traumatic, think of the next one after that). 1) Write it down focusing on the clearest part. 2) Next, write down the feeling attached to that memory. 3) Label that memory #2.

Think back to the first time you realized there was a higher power or some type of supernatural force at work in the world. 1) Write down the clearest part of this enlightenment memory. 2) Next, write down the feeling attached to that memory. 3) Label that memory #3.

Now tie your three memories together. Your earliest memory could represent your life purpose, mission, goal, or specific lesson to be learned in this life. Your traumatic memory could represent the type of obstacles you will face while trying to achieve the first one. The enlightenment memory could suggest ways to overcome the obstacles in #2, so that you can achieve #1.

Just remember that your reason for being here on earth is already deep inside of you – you simply need to access the information. Paying attention to your childhood memories might be all that’s necessary to recognize it. Once you identify your life’s purpose you will be on your way to planning for and living your dream life.