Making Compassion a Habit
Pride celebrations are happening in isolation this year, and with all that’s plaguing the world right now — illness, injustice, unrest and oppression (hello Poland), it’s a good time to reflect on all the victories of the LGBTQIA+ rights movement and dive into how change happens.
Kids see the signs everywhere — in neighborhoods and social media, in life, in chalk, on cardboard: Black Lives Matter, Hate is Taught, All Mothers Were Summoned When He Called out for His Mama. It’s clearer than ever that we all need to take action. We need to talk to kids about racism, especially when they’re young—according to a Healthy Children study, internalized racism can begin as early as age two.
When my daughter was little and something would scare her, a bee, or a heffalump or a woozle from Winnie the Pooh, she’d freeze in place, unable to move. I started singing her a little song, to the tune of “Accentuate the Positive” that went “Be brave, and keep going.”
As parents, we’re wired to seek safe, healthy environments for our littles. When disaster strikes, whether it’s a pandemic, a fire, or a hurricane, it’s deeply unsettling. A little support can go a long way.
This moving meditation is to help children visualize the practice of rooting in order to rise. We root to ground, to find strength. We rise as we become heartful, kind to ourselves, others and the world around us.
So often many of us, myself included, go through each day taking for granted some of the most simple pleasures in life. I almost never stop to think about the fact that I get to have...
Creating Kindness Baskets to deliver to friends and neighbors is a thoughtful way to lift spirits and strengthen community connections. Yummy treats, flowers and a cheerful note make a simple,...