Inner Child: What Makes You Come Alive?

Inner Child: What Makes You Come Alive?

What drives someone to seek a life that feels truly alive rather than just "getting through" the day? This Inner Bonding episode with Dr. Margaret Paul looks straight at that question by focusing on the soul, the inner child, and what actually lights you up inside. Speaking in her warm, direct style, Dr. Margaret builds the whole conversation around Howard Thurman’s quote: "Don’t ask yourself what the world needs.

Ask yourself what makes you come alive." She contrasts that inner spark with the numbness that comes from a lifetime of doing what’s expected, being "responsible", and chasing safety or approval instead of joy. You’ll hear her describe the difference between living from the "wounded self"—the part that says "I should", "I have to", "this is expected"—and the loving adult who says, "Your joy matters to me.

You are allowed to follow your bliss." She uses her own story of being an intense, creative, highly sensitive child who wasn’t encouraged to study or follow her passion, and how she chose to listen to her inner knowing anyway. The episode is especially helpful if you feel flat, over-obligated, or unsure what you even want. Dr.

Margaret invites you to ask simple but powerful questions like "When was the last time I felt truly alive?" and "What brought me joy before I was told who or how to be?" She makes it clear that aliveness isn’t reckless impulsivity, but a grounded, soulful energy where responsibility and joy can sit side by side.

Aimed at anyone healing from self-abandonment, addiction, or emotional pain, this conversation points you gently back to your own "blueprint"—what your inner child came here to offer. So what would feel life-giving to you today, and are you ready to start listening to that voice?