“You’re not the same as you were before. You were much more…muchier. You’ve lost your muchness.” (Lewis Carroll – Alice in Wonderland)
My take on this quote is that Mad Hatter refers to Alice losing connection to her inner child. She has forgotten how to play and be joyful. In today’s terms, we might say, “You used to be more fun.”. I prefer the Hatter’s quote as it feels less judgmental. He was fascinated by Alice, and his musings were inspired by curiosity.
I chose Mad Hatter’s quote today to reflect on our inner child’s connectedness.
What is it, and how do we lose it? Do we lose it or put it away until it’s time to reconnect?
Our inner child is the light within us that’s always with us. When it’s dim, it awaits rekindling, but how do we rekindle it?
Several years after a traumatic experience, I noticed my light had dimmed. I had been one to laugh readily, have a skip in my walk, always positive, and always happy. Like children are, I was curious and full of wonder. To every downside, there was an upside. I’m not sure how the realization came about, but one day, I realized I had stopped laughing and that it was difficult to feel joy—each day had become challenging to manage. Some days, I couldn’t care less if the day happened. I look back at that time and accept it for what it was- a time to rest, recover, and rekindle my spirit. To do otherwise was to refuse my passion and purpose.
Gradually, I remembered what it was to be joyful.
I’m sharing this experience because I believe those who go through life the most easily remember their “muchness.”
They remember to keep in touch with the qualities, skills, and experiences that bring them joy and connect them to their inner child.
They are full of wonder and curiosity. I didn’t forget what it was like to have fun and feel joyful. I remembered it quite well, and remembering my connectedness was what caused my grief. I had misplaced my ability to connect with it, but I honestly think these experiences are part of our learning; when we learn, we return stronger.
People who have that connection are the people who write or partake of other creativity, do caring things for others and themselves, cry when they must, and laugh whenever they can. Like I did, they rest when they are called to rest.
One person told me they grieved their loss of childhood and are now happy to rekindle their connection.
People who need to grieve grieve with their whole selves; when they are done, they do not apologize.
We each have our journey through life. What worked for me to reconnect with my inner child may not be what works for you.
One idea remains the same.
Joyfulness and kindness are inextricably linked.