Finding Joy in Childhood Wonder
When we were kids, it didn’t take much for our imagination to run wild. We could dream of being anything. Back then, there were no limits. Everything felt exciting, and we didn’t care if our clothes matched or if our hair was combed. But as we grew up, the world told us to “hurry up,” and that magic slowly started to fade. Little by little, our dreams became distant memories, filed away as “what I once wanted to be.”
Returning to Childlike Imagination
Living life through the eyes of a child is something I’m incredibly passionate about. Full disclosure—this wasn’t a habit of mine before my diagnosis. Sure, I’d remember what it was like to be a kid, and those memories would lead me to write stories and create books. That pull to revisit those long-dormant stories on my laptop brought me back to life. It’s also what helps me find my “flow” in life today.
When I was a kid, a blank piece of paper and a pencil fired up my imagination. Drawing things I loved created the world my adult self is so grateful for. But my real lifeline came when I started writing for adults. Oddly enough, I had always written children’s books, but writing for adults was a huge surprise for me—and discomfort led me there. I wrote a kids’ book about a unicorn that everyone told could never be a unicorn, and it turns out, that unicorn was me.
Overcoming the Fear of Judgment
It was easy to choose a unicorn as the main character—kids love unicorns, and as an illustrator, I loved the rainbow color palette. But things took a hard turn when some adults decided my book was a “gay recruiting book.” Suddenly, I was getting death threats—all while going through chemo and radiation. That was my fork in the road.
At that moment, I realized something: as scared as I was, it was time to start talking to the right audience—the broken, grown-up kids. The ones like me, who wanted more from life and wanted to say they lived it fully. I had to put away the fear of judgment, and that first step felt terrifying. But here’s the truth: armed with hope, I took that step anyway, and as I write this, my first adult book has just been delivered. My fear is gone, and I know this book will find the right people.
Reclaiming Your Spark
So many of us move through life feeling like we’re stuck in a fog, waiting for a spark—a glimpse of what’s still possible. The world of self-help is filled with books, videos, and posts offering quick fixes, but here’s the truth: you’re not lost. You’ve just forgotten the magic. Maybe what you need isn’t another self-help book but a return to what lit you up as a kid. Loved baseball? Go hit some balls. Gymnastics? Try a trampoline park.
Yes, you’ll be sore. But that’s not the point. The point is to rediscover the magic you thought was gone. It’s still there. Let yourself get lost in it every now and then—who knows, you might just find yourself again.
Power-Up Challenge: Reconnect With Childhood Joy
Today, I challenge you to reconnect with something that lit you up as a kid. Spend 30 minutes doing something playful, whether it’s drawing, playing a game, or even something as simple as daydreaming. Let yourself get lost in the joy, and watch how it shifts your day.
Closing Thoughts: The Magic Is Still Here
Thank you for being here with me today. Remember, the magic you thought was gone is still there—it’s just waiting for you to return to it. We all deserve to live life with a sense of wonder, no matter how grown-up we may be. Let’s rediscover it together. 💙Power-Up
Hope this helps!
Jason
