Daria Kathleen Sherman

A Pocket full of Shoulds Daria Kathleen Sherman

This world is filled with interesting things and beautiful moments. Joy and equanimity along with pure self- expression are the hallmarks of a young child. We use the word innocence to describe the pure unaltered trusting nature of children. In this natural state of being, a child plays and experiences the magic that is all around them. This is because they live in the now moment without societal imprints. However, within the first year of their life the child is taught and navigated into a continuous barrage of ideas, judgements, and beliefs in relation to every experience. Soon the once happy playful child becomes weighed down by negative or worried thoughts. A Pocket full of Shoulds is a story of a young boy who joyfully experienced life especially when he played out in nature. Over time he held limited thoughts and beliefs most of which where told to him by others. As he grew into a pre-teen those "Shoulds" had a negative impact on his emotional wellbeing. He stopped playing outside in nature. The once happy boy was now feeling insecure, tired, and sometimes angry. Then after playing by the creek with his younger sister the boy rediscovered the magic of nature and for a moment released his "Shoulds" and for a little while felt happy again. This book reminds the reader to release negative thought patterns especially the limited type known as "Shoulds". The easiest way to do that is to go out in nature and play.