When I first considered introducing meditation to children I had a hard time believing it was possible. How could I get these kids who were running around and bouncing off the walls to sit still with their eyes closed? And then I kept asking myself, why would I want to? Kids should be kids. One of the reasons they're so enjoyable is that energy that they have. It reminds us that we were once so energetic and playful. So why would I want to counteract it with something else, something that's perhaps too disciplined for them?
The answers presented themselves as soon as I started to ask myself why I use meditation. To calm myself, to let things go, and to change my perspective. The first time this came in handy was when Landon (7) and Amy (5) wouldn't stop arguing. It was one of those, "No it was you!" arguments that never sees an end and continues to escalate. I told Landon and Amy that on the count of three we were all going to take a deep breath and when we breathe out we were going to let the argument go. On three... deep breath in.... and breathe out. And it's gone. Really. They stopped talking about it and returned to watching the movie.
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I am really getting into the words I AM. After watching this video I decided to create my own I AM list. It was a great feeling and I highly recommend doing it. The best part was when I got to the end I realized I had so many more positive I AM expressions I wanted to add. If you start to write your list and find expressions like I AM weak and I AM tired keep coming into your mind then perhaps you can create a list with the intention of where you want to be. I know it can be frustrating to do something like this, which makes you very aware of where you are versus where you want to be. But you don't have to do it all at once. You can say something like this to yourself: "I will make my I AM list of what I want for myself. I don't have to become all of things I write today, tomorrow or even next month. I will become them when I'm ready, and when I get there I get there." All things in life begin with an idea or an intent and are followed by a one step at at a time process, even you finding your way to I AM strength. And if you're already feeling good, let the I AMs flow! Here is my very colorful I AM list I made this morning:
A beloved professor in Japan came to learn that his time left on Earth was limited. He didn't want to bring his students down with the news, and so he created one final homework assignment for them.
Here’s a translation of the assignment as pictured above: Final homework assignment No due date Please be happy. By the time you are ready to turn in this assignment, I will probably be in heaven. Don’t rush your report. Feel free to take your time. But someday, please turn to me and say “I did it. I’ve become happy.” I’ll be waiting. We should all be students of this teacher. Since this image has begun circulating the student who posted it updated to say the teacher had passed on. Have you thought today about what makes you happy? Maybe a nice cup of warm tea. Or taking a moment to admire some flowers. Whatever it is, go find it. You deserve it. Source: Ajajashita (Japanese) Image: kandoh_hanashi on Twitter These are videos of the oldest living Holocaust survivor, Alice Herz-Sommer. They're incredible testaments to gratitude and laughter not just being the keys to happiness but also survival. They're truly moving. Please watch and share. From the Everything Matters YouTube Page: Alice survived the concentration camps through her music, her optimism and her gratitude for the small things that came her way - a smile, a kind word, the sun. When asked about the secret of her longevity, Alice says: "I look where it is good." Here is a little more wisdom and light from Alice from her interview with Tony Robbins: You may play the 15 minute background music I used in the Energy Refresher whenever you want. You can stream it here all day every day. A little about the music: The track begins with a blend of soft rain and a healing sound tone (the healing tone is 528 hz, also known as the miracle frequency, or the miracle healing tone). It's just enough to quiet the chatter in your mind and soothe your body and soul. Halfway through the music transitions into a beautiful Gregorian monk chant blended with a subtle wind sound. This last half has a very light and airy feel, a perfect balance to the grounding and earthy beginning.
And as always, a free meditation will always be on the homepage. If you know someone who might enjoy these things, please share. I have really been enjoying watching the show Once Upon a Time and noting how it has unlimited metaphors for life and awakening. I have no idea if this was intentional or not. It begins with a town full of people who go through their lives in a semi-fog. They do they same thing pretty much everyday without questioning why or if it's even what they want to be doing. There's a vague sense that something's off, that there's more to the world and their lives, but it's buried too deep. They can't remember who they are or where they came from. And so they go on with their lives without questioning and without even considering what the truth is. That is until Emma arrives. Emma sets off a chain of events that shakes them from their slumber. It's scary and shocking, but so much better than staying in the monotonous drone of not knowing. As they awaken they begin to remember the gifts and talents they had before, people they'd loved, challenges they'd faced, and so on. |