As many of you know, James Baraz and I have spent the past year writing Awakening Joy for Kids.  It is a combination of adult practices written by James and children’s practices written by me. There are specific  activities for parents to share and also lessons for teachers that seamlessly integrate into current curriculum.  The practices are designed to build mindfulness, compassion, resilience and loving kindness.  Woo Hoo!

The manuscript is over 300 pages and Parallax Press in Berkeley is publishing the handbook in August 2016.

I am also over the moon with the knowledge of the  incredible mindfulness teacher who is writing our forward.  I have listened to her for years and can hardly believe she is currently reading the manuscript!   I will let you know WHO as soon as it is written!

We will keep you posted and share a preview when it comes available. I am so grateful for this opportunity to share our work.

In the meantime, here is a little lesson for Valentine’s week.

Loving Ourselves. 

Over the years I have changed the focus of Valentine’s Day in my classroom from giving out Valentines, although it is still a component, to deeply focussing on loving ourselves just as we are. When I was a child, Valentine’s Day was an anxious time, as the little envelopes were lined up against the classroom window and if you were one of the popular kids you had an envelope bursting full and those that were less well liked were almost empty.  Today when Valentines are given, they are given to all.

What if the focus of Valentines included loving ourselves?  How can we practice this skillful act of self compassion that is so often overlooked.  As teachers, we often ask students to be kind to others, but what about building in the self talk of “I love myself.” Over time if we don’t embrace ourselves we can only seek love outside of ourselves, validating our experience with what others think.

Here are 5 little steps towards self love:

• Help your children hear postive self talk by sharing your own aloud with them. Say things out loud like: “Even though I am having trouble climbing this hill I am doing the best I can and with each step I am building a stronger heart,” instead of: “I can’t believe what a lazy slob I have become.  I can’t even climb this stupid hill.”

• I am my own best friend.  What would a best friend say in this situation?  Would they berate me for having a hard time exercising?
• Teach your child to put their hand on their heart and say: Wow I really appreciate_____________.  It might be: “I really appreciate how I shared my toys even when I wanted to keep them to myself.” (Putting your hand over your heart actually releases oxytocin, the feel good hormone. Read below a quote from Dr. Linda Graham whom I was lucky enough to hear speak in  Berkeley last year. 
• At the end of the day have each family member hug themselves and gently share something they did that they felt good about.  The self love not only feels good but it alerts the brain to look for good things and to be aware of how we interact with the world.
• Teach your children to listen to their feelings and honor their needs.  As adults, we often don’t even know what we are feeling.  We have to teach children to stop and listen to the body.  If they are feeling anxious, how can they talk to themselves and honor the part of themselves that is afraid?  If they are feeling tired, are they willing to rest.  Feelings are an indicator of what the body, mind and spirit are calling for.  Stop and listen.

Of course, all these little practices are both for adults and children.  So gift yourself this Valentine’s Day with self love and feel your heart shine.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Michele

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Linda states:

Safe touch anywhere on our bodies, even from ourselves when a reminder of safe touch with others, triggers the release of oxytocin and brings our entire body back into a state of calm and trust. Any warm, loving touch can release oxytocin—hugs, snuggles, holding hands, partner dancing, cuddles with a pet, massage and body work.