I've spent the past three weeks of winter break at home and between family members, but I've had the consistent joy of being around my amazing sister and my beautiful niece Ophelia Moon. Phi just turned 4 months old, and every time I look into her eyes I fall in love.

Being a part of my sister's family for a little while taught me so much. My sister answers to late crying and lots of spit-up with nothing but love. Patience. Respect and admiration for the process that is growing up. I know my sister is growing up.

I know my parents still are. I know my friends are. We talk to everyone in our lives who's either in their own "Terrible Twos" or growing pains with the same rush-free mindset of appreciating just where someone is at in their journey. Why don't we talk to ourselves the same way?

I've got this new goal of speaking to my inner child. When I screw up, that's okay—let's give it another go. When I'm on my last thread, I remember that everyone else feels this way too—I'm not alone in this ever-changing ocean of emotions.

When we drop something, need to cry, or simply can't sleep, we should remember our inner child is still learning and growing, just like the little babies who bring tears to our eyes just because they are so freaking sweet. We are sweet. We mean well. We are doing our best.

Listening to an inner child is harder than listening to the "grown-up" mind that's constantly rushing, competing, comparing. These actions aren't the way of the heart and soul—forgiveness, patience, acceptance of our own spot in this world.

Taking a nap when you can just because you need one. Buying yourself dessert and making any day an occasion worthy of celebrating. Stretching. Exploring. Not ranking your best against someone else's. Loving the skin and self you were born with. Swimming in water even though it's freezing.

Our inner child is hungry for the love it once received-—applaud the learning process; it's extraordinary.