If you are a child of the 80s and 90s, you must have heard the song by Enigma, ‘The Return to Innocence.’ One of my favorite songs by the way. It’s a fabulous integration of Native American chanting and truly meaningful lyrics.

I am reminded of the key phrase, ‘the return to innocence.’ Many may live life freely and hedonistically, yet eventually there seems to be a call to return to innocence. Perhaps this is only relevant in a situation with someone who was raised with values, who now later faces the existential calling to return home, and to realign their lifestyle back to the inherent values that lay dormant in the humanity of their heart.

It is sometimes hard to answer the question who are you and maybe easier to answer what are your values?

We are often defined by social constructs of who we are, as defined in particular social situations. I.e. We are a father, a brother, a lawyer or any other descriptive term that speaks to a certain relationship.

Yet, how we live is indicative of who we are and the values that we possess. If we live according to our values, we are destined to live a more meaningful life.

If we live according to our innermost authentic values of self, this in turn will inform a social construct and identity that is more authentic to the core aspect of our essence of who we are.

We can often lose sight of who we are by superficial or environmental pressures, instigations, and interferences. And yet the call to realign ourselves back to that guiding compass of authenticity remains in the humanity of our heart. This is the return to innocence.

This return to innocence is an authenticity that yearns to be heard and to be seen. And so to the innermost part of you that is true, real, and authentic, I say:

I see you. I hear you. And I hope you too may also be seen and heard in those healthy relationships and moments that are most meaningful to you.

(c)2024 John Piedrahita