Everyone carries within the child they once were. This child remains active and makes many of the choices people think the adult self is making. The inner child is naturally playful, intuitive, persistent and unlimited. Sometimes the child is wounded, hurt and frightened; sometimes excited, inspired and loving. The child within is stubborn and willful at times, shy and quiet at other times. This same child may run and hide from people one moment and burst into joyous laughter in a crowd of strangers the next.

Many people were hurt when they were children. Some still carry a wounded, frightened little boy or girl within. This little child has powerful ways of protecting itself and getting its needs met. Since people live all of their lives with this inner child, they may be unaware of many of its traits. They often say "that’s just the way I am" when asked to consider why they behave the way they do.

To illustrate the inner child’s power, consider this brief scene:

A man and a woman live together. They come home after a long days work, hungry and tired. One says to the other, "How about you making dinner tonight?" "Why me?" says the other, "It’s not my turn." "Well, it’s not my turn either." "I’m not making dinner," says one. "Well, I’m not making dinner, either!" says the other. "Fine," says one, arms folded. "Fine," says the other, arms also folded.