“The soul is healed by being with children.”
This quote is by Fyodor Dostoevsky, a well-known Russian novelist, essayist, and journalist who lived in the nineteenth century.
Reading Dostoevsky’s quote brought back memories of my daughter when she was a child. I’m very thankful that I had the special gift of having a child, caring for her, and being with her during her childhood and adolescent years. And I’m also very thankful that she is a wonderful part of my life now that she is an adult.
It’s really quite fascinating to see how children grow and change and become their unique little selves. The first time they make eye contact, their first smile and how that smile and the many smiles that follow touch our hearts. Before we know it, children have reached the developmental milestones of crawling, walking, talking, and many others. They’re little miracles.
As I write this post, I’m aware of people wanting to have children but for various reasons not being able to or deciding it was better not to. Although I refer to my experience as a parent, I also take joy in the children and grandchildren of friends, relatives, and coworkers who share photos of them and talk about how they’re doing.
One of the reasons Dostoevsky’s words resonate with me is that there is a kind of healing that accompanies our being in the present moment, and young children are perfect examples of living in the present. It’s not until they’re older that life experiences, including modeling by parents and other adults, start to cause them to think about the past or the future. For all of us as adults there are of course times when we must think about the future, such as for work projects or making plans for something. And thinking about the past, especially having positive memories, can be good for us. But when we find ourselves always or almost always thinking about what’s next instead of appreciating the present moment, our enjoyment of life is diminished. And when we dwell on the past, including sad memories, mistakes we made, or regrets, it’s important for our emotional well-being to remind ourselves to focus on what is happening now instead, what we can do that is helpful for others and for ourselves, and in general using the gifts we’ve been given in ways that matter.
Another reason Dostoevsky’s words are meaningful to me is that in Jungian dream interpretation a baby appearing in a dream can symbolize new life, a new beginning, and being open to transformation. Our dreams are one of the ways we are given information from our unconscious which can then be integrated into our consciousness, and to receive the message symbolized by a baby is certainly positive and hopeful and part of our soul work.
All of our souls need healing from time to time. Experiencing the joy of being among children can be part of that healing.