Back to My Roots: Core Values Shaping Who I Am and the Work of the Inner Child

We all have roots, those deep-seated beliefs and patterns that have been quietly shaping us since we were young. They’re the things we absorbed like air, without ever really questioning them—our subconscious blueprints. The way we love, how we view success, and even the subtle ways we let fear steer our decisions. For years, I had this underlying sense that I wasn’t quite in sync with my true self, like a song I couldn’t quite hear. That’s when I realized it was time to take a closer look at my subconscious—rewriting it, realigning it, and, ultimately, letting go of everything that no longer served me.

It was time to dig deep and do the work of the inner child. And trust me, the work isn’t easy. But it’s the kind of work that brings profound transformation.

Rewriting My Subconscious: The Power of Awareness

The first step in rewriting anything is realizing it needs to be rewritten. For me, the moment of awakening came when I started paying attention to the tiny patterns I had been running on autopilot. It was in the way I would let fear dictate my choices, the way I overcomplicated things or, worse, held onto grudges that served no purpose. These weren’t just random habits—they were my subconscious playing out old programs.

So, I dove into the idea of rewiring my mind and rediscovering the inner child. I began to notice the narratives I’d been telling myself about money, love, and success. These were stories I inherited—some from my family, some from society, and some from past experiences. It was time to rewrite the script.

But here’s the thing: It wasn’t enough to just decide, “Hey, I want to change.” There had to be an intentional, ongoing process of shifting my inner world. That’s where the Letting Go technique by Dr. David Hawkins came in, and let me tell you, it was a game-changer.

Letting Go: The Technique That Liberated Me

If you’ve ever tried to change, you know how tough it can be. The more you try to control your thoughts, the more they seem to control you. The Letting Go technique is all about releasing attachment to negative thoughts, emotions, and beliefs, instead of fighting them. It’s a shift from struggle to surrender. And the beauty of it? It’s simple.

David Hawkins describes letting go as the process of allowing emotions to rise, feel them fully, and then let them go, instead of holding on or trying to suppress them. The act of letting go isn’t just about getting rid of what no longer serves us—it’s about making room for something new, something aligned with who we truly are at our core.

I started using this technique whenever I felt stuck in negative emotions or limiting beliefs. Instead of pushing them away or trying to “fix” myself, I just observed what I was feeling. I would name the emotion, breathe through it, and let it release. In doing so, I stopped holding onto the past, stopped carrying the weight of old beliefs that had no place in my present.

When I feel stuck in a negative rut, instead of resisting the emotions I am feeling, I state them allow, let them be there and exist for what they are, then release them. This has helped me not only cope with moments, but to bring up old negative neural pathways and rewriting them into positive ones.

The more I practiced, the more I felt light. The old stories didn’t have the same grip on me anymore. I could finally embrace my core values without the cloud of past conditioning hanging over me.

What is Inner Child Innocence?

Dr. David Hawkins discusses the importance and destruction of the inner child. He refers to that inner child as a level of fully trusting and believing innocence that shapes who we are into adulthood. That inner child is beautiful because it believes in the power of love, creativity, play, possibility, happiness, laughter. That same inner child also believes the negativity, the harmful or bias judgements, hatred, anger, hopelessness, and destruction heard from our societal outlets (parents, friends, family, media, etc.). And the worst part, young people today are at an even bigger disadvantage because their inner child has access to way more knowledge than we ever did growing up...Yikes, now I am showing my age...

My Core Values: The Roots That Ground Me

As I let go of limiting beliefs and emotions, something incredible happened. I started getting clearer about who I really was—my true self, not the version shaped by society’s expectations or outdated family patterns. And that clarity led me back to my roots, my core values.

For me, the core values that ground me are authenticity, growth, and connection. These aren’t just buzzwords—they’re the guiding principles that allow me to live with purpose, without the constant noise of self-doubt. They’re the compass I use to navigate my decisions and actions.

• Authenticity means showing up as my true self, without the need to impress or please anyone. It's about being honest and vulnerable in everything I do, even when it feels uncomfortable.

• Growth is my commitment to always evolving—whether that means learning new things, challenging my own thinking, or facing hard truths.

• Connection is about creating real, meaningful relationships—those moments when you know you’re truly seen and heard, not just by others, but by yourself.

• Family matters so much to me. Family is my support, my best friends, my belief.

As I let go of the beliefs that didn’t align with these values, I began to step more fully into the person I knew I was meant to be. It felt like shedding old skin, stepping into a version of me that was less weighed down by what I thought I “should” be and more open to what I could be.

As a kid, I used to get so excited about everything in life. I had so much passion for living and thriving and would always be so happy for other people when things worked out for them. Over the years, society has taken hold of me, fears have gotten in the way, and that passion for life as a journey has faded. What I do know, is that it is still in me. This is a piece of my inner child that was covered up for too long and it looking for its way out. May we continue to grow in our own journeys so that we too can reconnect with our "flower power."

I used to get excited about EVERYTHING. As a kid, I just loved life for each moment. I was brave. I was loving. I was happy. And what lived then, still lives in me today.

Why Does this Matter to Me?

Nani. You are probably wondering how to say that. And you would probably like to know where that name came from. Growing up, I had a speech impediment. I still do, you always have it somewhere. I don't know if it originated from stress or it had more of a physical basis, but I know I had it. Plus, as a kid, your diction is not as strong. My name is Danielle and my nickname is Dani. I could not pronounce Dani. I guess I referred to myself in the third person often...So instead of Dani, it came out as Nani. And a cute little three year old saying their nickname wrong, it stuck. Most close friends and family call me Dani, but Nani is still part of my core development. So alas, Nani Media was born.

It is pronounced Nah-nee (IPA: /ˈnɑːni/)

• "Nah" as in "nah" (like when you say "nah" to decline something).

• "Nee" as in "knee" (the body part).

This is a common pronunciation, especially in Japanese, where "Nani" means "What?" Nani also means In Hawaiian culture: "Nani" (pronounced "Nah-nee") means "beautiful" or "splendid". It is often used to describe something or someone that is beautiful or magnificent. I feel blessed that the meaning is also relevant. But in all seriousness, my sisters and I were called the "what-what" girls of the neighborhood because of our excessive curiosity. We would always have a "what does that do", "what does that mean", "what dog is yours." The curiosity of the "what-what girls" has led my sisters and I into beautiful adventures together and separately. Who knows what things we were told and believed as a part of our "what-what girl" phase. This subconscious work is yet to be done...

Nani Media has a special place in my heart for its simple curiosity breeding beautiful stories, new knowledge, and service to others. It brings me one step closer to reconnecting with my pure, positive inner child.

The Road Ahead: Work of the Inner Child

This journey of rewriting my subconscious is ongoing. It’s not like you wake up one day, let go of everything, and voila—life is suddenly perfect. There are still moments when the old patterns creep in, but now I have the tools to deal with them. I’ve learned to create space for self-compassion, to understand that growth doesn’t always look linear.

The Letting Go technique has helped me release the past and embrace a future that’s aligned with my authentic self. It’s about surrendering to what is, and trusting that the process is unfolding exactly as it should.

So, if you’re on this path of self-discovery and transformation, remember: You don’t have to force anything. Just start by becoming aware of what’s there, and when you’re ready, let it go. Make room for the things that truly matter—your values, your dreams, your truth.

Because at the end of the day, those are the things that will keep you grounded, no matter what life throws your way. The work of the inner child will reconnect you to your purpose.

Stay rooted, surrender, and rise higher. You’ve got this.

Let's win,

xx

Nani