CHRISTOPHER ROBIN

By Janet J. Seahorn, PH.D

It’s been a while since I’ve written a blog. Grief pretty much stole my motivation and ability to be creative. I’ve kept busy doing the mundane every day chores of cooking, cleaning, shopping and every once in a while going to the movies. Movies these days don’t require one to do much thinking. You only need to sit in front of the big screen and vegetate on what’s in front of you while eating massive doses of whatever fits your appetite. However, this afternoon was different. I went to see the children’s film, Christopher Robin. It began with a young boy’s early years of innocence and freedom. Once grown, Christopher experienced the horrors of war. Gone were the simplicity and innocence of youth, replaced with the reality of life, responsibility, and stress.

Tigger is our joyful side giving us balance and impulsive curiosity to seek new adventures. He is spontaneous and delighted to experience every new adventure, yet, we can’t live all of daily life as a Tigger. As enticing as that appears, it can also be exhausting. And, then there is Winne the Pooh – sweet, thoughtful, loyal, and unwavering in his hope for the day, the moment. When we forget our “Pooh”, we lose our hope and our faith to face the day. We forget that staying in the present moment may be exactly where we need to live. The yesterdays and tomorrows are simply too much to absorb and maintain our sanity.

Embracing all of our special characters helps us to be a fully functioning and loving Christopher Robin. A Christopher Robin that finally realizes the most important things in his life aren’t work and responsibility. The most important things in life are family, friends, and taking time to explore and appreciate all of the wonderful, even challenging experiences that are available at each moment.