When I was little, what was I fascinated by?
I had two big fascinations. One was nature and the universe, and the other was adventure and exploration.
I loved nature and nature programs on TV, and especially the ones by David Attenborough. I also loved anything that had to do with the universe, and Cosmos by Carl Sagan and Ann Dryan. And I loved adventure and exploration books, especially the classics set in exotic locations.
How does this relate to my life now?
I can find all of this very much alive for me. I still love nature and science, and my sense of adventure and exploration is happening right here in my exploration of who and what I am, and my life in the world.
Can I bring my childhood fascinations more into my life now?
Yes, by remembering these fascinations and bring that sense of adventure and aliveness into these explorations.
How is it to remind myself of these childhood fascinations?
I find that my childhood fascinations still are very much alive for me, bring me alive, and enlivens my activities here and now.
EXPLORING CHILDHOOD FASCINATIONS
Why would we explore our childhood fascinations?
The essence of our childhood fascinations are still with us. If they connect with something in our life now, it tends to enliven what we are doing. If we cannot find it in our life now, perhaps we can bring it into our life? Perhaps we can infuse it into what we are already doing? Or reprioritize and bring a new activity in?
Childhood fascinations tend to reflect our natural inclinations and passions and are often expressed in a more pure form in our childhood, which is why it helps to remember what fascinated us as a child.
What do you find? What were your childhood fascinations? How does it relate to your life now? Can you bring it more into your life now? How is it to remind yourself of your childhood fascinations?
Note: I have a vague memory of Jung talking about this, but couldn’t find a quote when I did a quick search.