Reconnecting with Your Wonder Child

I’ve been reflecting a lot on the teachings from Paul Aurand in his book Essential Healing, particularly the concept of the Wonder Child. This part of ourselves is playful, creative, curious, and wise—much closer to our true essence. It’s the part of us that says, “Let’s go draw and paint! Write that book you’ve been talking about. Let’s find inspiration again” (Aurand, p. 85). It stands in contrast to the wounded child, the part that’s been hurt and is in need of healing, love, and safety (Aurand, p. 80).

Like many of you, I’ve experienced how life’s pressures—societal expectations, work demands, and the need to "achieve"—can drown out that sense of wonder and playfulness. But the truth is, the Wonder Child is still there, waiting for us to reconnect. I used to feel like this part of me was buried, like a distant memory. But reconnecting didn’t require anything extreme.

For me, the solution wasn’t about escaping to the wilderness or going on a 10-day retreat—though I’ve done that before. And while those experiences were valuable, I realized they weren’t necessary to reconnect with my Wonder Child. I didn’t need to take ayahuasca in the jungle or fast to rediscover that joy.

All I needed was to set my intention, close my eyes, connect with my breath, and open my heart. In doing so, I could feel that playful, curious part of me coming back to life. It was like truly imagining my Wonder Child right there beside me, as if he was in the room. And once I acknowledged him, it felt as if the sun had finally started shining on me again after a long time.

Paul Aurand talks about how, when you ask your Wonder Child what they need, they often tell you that they already have what they need. They don’t ask for more—they ask you to change something about yourself. Maybe it’s, “You need a vacation,” or, “You need to slow down and have more fun” (Aurand, p. 85). Their advice is always wise and direct, reminding us that self-love is more important than self-indulgence (Aurand, p. 86).

The beauty of this practice is that it doesn’t take extra time out of your day. You can reconnect with your Wonder Child by simply noticing what’s happening inside you, paying attention to the messages of your soul, and listening to that childlike part of you that’s always there, waiting for you to join in. The Wonder Child doesn’t demand grand gestures; it thrives in the simplicity of life—in a moment of creativity, a quiet walk, or a burst of spontaneous joy.

Aurand also suggests that one way to reconnect with your Wonder Child is through creative activities—sit down with some crayons and draw something simple like the sun or a smiling face. Bring the Wonder Child along with you when you’re out running errands or going for a walk in nature. Engage in a dialogue with that part of yourself (Aurand, p. 95).

So, if it’s been a while since you’ve played with your Wonder Child, maybe today’s the day to reconnect. Pull out some crayons, doodle something simple, take a walk, or just ask your Wonder Child what they need. Trust me, the answers might surprise you. They’re often simple, yet deeply wise.

I’d love to hear what your Wonder Child wants to do today. What advice is it giving you?

If you haven't read Paul's book, I highly recommend getting it. It's a great read.

Have a great weekend!