The answer to this one is yes it certainly does.
For better or for worse the experiences we have in childhood are very important to our own personal development.
This is unavoidable because as we are developing, growing, and maturing we make conscious and sometimes unconscious decisions on how we view things based upon the experiences we have at this sensitive and critical time.
The most important aspect to remember is that we can reconcile the negative things, and we can enjoy the positive things as happy memories.
Living in the past is a dangerous proposition because it is done. You cannot go back there and change those things which happened or you have done. You can however take back some power in coming to terms with those things, in your own way, that does not allow them to influence your present unless you want them too.
The first step can be painful when you are considering the negative things; that is admitting what experience was hurtful, and really bringing it into your consciousness by naming it, describing it, and looking inward at it.
The next step is to validate your feelings by not judging yourself for having those feelings.
There is an awkward peace that comes when we sit down with ourselves and take a long hard look at the mess in our hearts.
Without this conscious effort these things will continue to influence our thoughts and behaviors, leaving their mark on our present time. They will bring a bi-directional effect and we may not even be aware of it. In other words, we will get what we expect to get even when we are not aware we have those expectations.
There is a good reason that the mystics study and train themselves to look inward. This is because the one thing we all have is the ability to decide who we are, and how we think when we take deep intrinsic responsibility for our own state of mind, heart, and soul.
After the storm of acceptance is past we can take the first tentative steps to resolve the hurts of childhood and move forward in a more whole fashion.
For the good or the ill our childhood is the foundation upon which our future is built.
Previously published on www.donanobispacemcoaching.com
Beth's Journey 