A Story For the Inner Child

There once was a child whose heart sang so freely that even the trees leaned in to listen. Their laughter rolled like sunlight through an open window, and their words carried the music of something ancient and true.

They imagined themselves as the songbirds that sit outside their window.  Singing along with the birds brought them much joy and the desire to spread that very joy ran deep.

But one day, in a moment of exhaustion and worry, an adult snapped: “Be quiet! You’re so loud.  Can't you see I'm trying to work? No one wants to hear that right now!”

The child’s heart trembled. In that instant, their song broke, as if a thread had been cut. A bright piece of their spirit fell away, sliding into a quiet shadow, created from the jagged edges of a broken heart.

It was from then on, the child learned to protect themselves by trying to hushing their voice, dimming their brilliance, shrinking their joy so they wouldn't have to feel the pain from the shatter again.

As the child grew, they learned silencing their voice was the easiest way to blend in, to be acceptable, to be “good.” But within the jagged corners of their heart, that brilliant song waited.  The song of the birds, hidden in the shadows and drenched in shame, carried a quiet hope -- that one day it might belong again.

Closing Reflection

As you finish reading this story, take a soft breath. Place a hand on your heart, if you wish:

- What song did you once carry so freely, before someone asked you to quiet it?

- What part of you might still be waiting, hidden in the shadows, hoping to belong again?

- If you could, how would you welcome that song home today?

The Roots of the Shadow

Psychological Roots

Carl Jung described the shadow as the unconscious storehouse of everything we cannot accept about ourselves. It grows in childhood, shaped by family patterns, schooling, cultural values, and painful experiences.

Spiritual Roots

In many spiritual traditions, what we hide is seen as medicine yet to be integrated. Our broken pieces call us back through challenge, through crisis, through the dark night of the soul — so we can remember who we truly are.

Gentle Reflection

Take a moment now to place your hand on your heart. Feel your own warmth. Take three slow, deep breaths, and say softly to yourself:

“I am willing to remember and welcome back the parts of me that have been forgotten.”

Notice what arises — an image, a memory, or a quiet feeling. There is no wrong answer. It is all welcome here.

Journal Prompts

As you reflect on the story and its closing questions, turn to a fresh page and allow your heart to speak freely. There is no need to filter or fix what arises — only to witness with gentleness. You might begin with:

“The song I remember most was…”

“When I silenced this part of me, I felt…”

“Today, I would welcome this song home by…”

Leave as much space as you need. Let the words move through you like a river, carrying whatever truth wants to be known.

If nothing flows, that’s okay too. Just write it down, or speak it out loud and just wait. Model the patience you would like to receive.

Sacred Reminder

Shadow work is a path of love. It is a reunion with your wholeness.

There is no requirement, no perfect answer — only the willingness to see yourself more honestly, and to hold what you find with care.

Thank you for having the courage to turn toward your shadow.

You are seen. You are heard. You belong. You are loved.

Let your light shine, brilliant star.