Santa Reloaded: The Wisdom of the Inner Child

           

            When I was a young child, maybe 3 or 4, my parents asked me what I wanted from Santa. In my infinite wisdom I replied simply: an apple and an orange.

            Needless to say, my parents were a bit flabbergasted. They even took me to the mall to see the big man in person. My answer was still the same. I sat on Santa’s lap confidently and relayed to him my wish for fruit. Needless to say Santa was also a bit lost for words and my parents looked a bit embarrassed. As a child of the middle class I surely could have wished for something else, something a bit more extravagant: a doll, a toy car, a video game. Anything. (Well anything within reason).

            When I think back to young me, I am amazed by my wisdom. In a world of capitalist overload and wasteful gift giving I simply asked for one thing: nourishment. Plenty of parents buy children the latest hot toy or gadget only to have their child play with it for a week and then let it languish in the basement. But young Reezy knew what was up.

            My parents ended up getting me a plastic orange and apple and a mini play-kitchen set and ironing board. I seemed to be satisfied. About 22 years later I am still struggling to achieve what the younger me achieved with such ease. I am still trying to see through the chaos of the information age and achieve the things that truly nourish me. As I grow older I also struggle to demystify my life’s narrative, including my class privilege and the racial dynamics of growing up mixed-race in a predominately white suburban enclave.

            But as I embark on what has been and will continue to be a profoundly overwhelming spiritual and physical journey I have to channel the younger Reezy. The one who confidently made their desires plain even when everyone else thought they were a little off-kilter. It is my hope that as 2014 approaches we can all slow down and channel the wisdom of our inner child.