The Real Value of Engaging Children in Experiencing the Rituals of Holidays.
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Children by their very nature love to party and have a good time! After all they are “Joy”!
How do we respectfully and intentionally engage our children in holiday celebrations so that the experience is both memorable and void of stress and anxiety?
Realizing that the act of celebrating life and engaging in rituals that represent those celebrations, is a unique and purposeful ingredient in our human divine design. We have throughout our history as a specie, engaged in occasions that are in context to our life experiences. Whether it is a communal expression, religious doctrine-based rituals, national or ethic-based celebrations that denote remembrances of things from a historical context, we have an instinctual need to “celebrate life”. This ability to celebrate and be in a state of joy and happiness, is a legacy we must pass on to our children.
We are so fortunate and blessed when we are able todemonstrate for our children that life is worth taking out the time and energy to “Celebrate” through our own expressions of engaging in the festivities of our culture, religion, and any other occasion that we can participate in. There is even room in our life to make new rituals and activities that are unique to our family.
So, what are the to do’s for our children?
Prepare them ahead of a holiday event or other celebrative event. I would suggest depending on what is being celebrated, that you sit down at some point and talk about what they can expect.
If there are resources available read a story with them on thetopic or go on an adventure looking up the history and purpose of the “What and Why”.
Make a plan on what you want to expose your child-children to in relationship to the event or occasion. Timeline of how long you will engage. Know the signals of when your child is tired or overwhelmed.
Balance!!! Everyone raises their children in their own unique way based on their own subscription of their values, so don’t waste time being judgmental, just be clear with your own children that your family values and expectations for behavior is consistent whether they are at home or in a public situation. You know what gets your children in a space that they feel out of sorts, so it is our responsibility as parents to stay in tune with what is happening with them. I like what I call “Check in times”! We have a little signal that means, come in for a quick huddle.
Be realistic!! There are holidays that we celebrate that have lost sight of the real reason for us celebrating them and have taken on a commercial texture that makes it competitive and devalued in purpose. If you decide to pull back from that texture of the celebration, make sure you never go “cold turkey”, talk about it as a family, and make sure that everyone participates in the outcome.
Take care of yourself! Don’t go overboard to the point you are exhausted and overwhelmed because that will impact not just you, but the whole family. Moderation so that you make memories of joy and not nightmares of anxiety and remorse.
So, breathe deeply! Close your eyes and visualize something that brings you back into homeostasis with your soul expression. May today bring you a sense of peace, joy, and moments of feeling loved and validated for who you are and what you are gifting humanity.
Ashé! Have a Blessed Day!
**Note: These recordings are based on my blog writings, and all of this comes through Spirit. The recordings are a reflection of the writings and are not edited because I do not want to alter what is coming to me through “Great Spirit”. I am not seeking perfection, only serving as a vessel to bring love, peace, and joy, to our humanity.
Thank You Jim Brickman for your beautiful music that vibrates through this recording. This is a selection from his album – “Music to Quiet Your Mind and Sooth Your World”.
Tiny Tips for Moms and Dads # 15
Nurturing Our Children Into the Development of their Consciousness!
Ua in deep meditation doing his Tai Chi ritual mantra he made for himself.
***For translation of the text of the blog: touch the Blue Globe on the top right-hand corner.
The Process of awakening the gift of consciousness that are children are born with, starts in the early stages of development and continues throughout our life’s journey.
We have a responsibility as parents to awaken the consciousness in our children’s souls so that they have an understanding of right and wrong, being grateful, have the ability to feel remorse for actions and deeds that are not in alignment with being their higher selves. We don’t want them to use words that can cause other people to experience pain and hurt! It is an everyday task and experiential opportunities to guide children into the understanding of their emotional intelligence which is the foundation and support of their developing social skills and sense of consciousness!
I believe that one of the reasons we are witnessing so much neurotic and heinous violence in our world today is because many human beings have been deprived of the care, nurturing, and guidance they needed as children when it should have occurred! We have an urgent responsibility to take this task seriously! We need to realize that the emotional intelligence and emotional well-being of our children must be a priority, because if not, I can guarantee you that all the cognitive -intellectual development and educational preparation we make as a priority will be of little significance in the scheme of developing the “whole, healthy, happy, and successful contributing global citizen.
We went through a phase in Early Childhood Education, where we told children they didn’t have to apologize to someone if they hurt them physically or emotionally, unless they meant it! Well, how would children be able to value apologizing or understand the “why” it is important to be able to “feel a sense of remorse” for their actions if we don’t guide them and nurture them through the process!
Children are highly intuitively sensitive, and we have to find ways to plug into their ability to develop an evolved consciousness! Please, thank you, I’m sorry, forgive me are essential essences of an evolved and functioning society! Teaching and modeling gratitude for receiving and earnest humility in giving, is an unbelievable gift we can give to our children that will when done collectively, change the trajectory of our struggling humanity!
Thank You Jim Brickman for your beautiful music that vibrates through this recording. This is a selection from his album – “Music to Quiet Your Mind and Sooth Your World”.
The Lens of Their Life’s Perspective Comes From Their Interpretation- Not Ours!
There is Nothing Like Playing in the Rain!
Life’s journey, from a child’s perspective is their truth.
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We learn as mothers and fathers that we must realize that no matter what we do in parenting, our children’s perspective, comprehension and interpretation of their early life and unfortunately sometimes adult experiences, are dealt with from a child’s maturity emotionally and spiritually and therefore can be limited and restrictive. It can hamper their ability to evolve and grow into the completeness of their divinity. This is why the development of their spirituality is critical.
We don’t want them living life in their pain bodies because it is all they see through the “window” from which they live and experience the nuances of their life. It does not serve them well. They have to know they have our support in helping them to do the “work” to be free.They are worthy of truly loving themselves because from God’s perspective they are whole and complete.
We must continue to pray and work for this enlightenment and transformation that can support the quality of our children’s lives. We must always be mindful of what our children are exposed to and if they ask puzzling questions, we must be there to help them process. In a collaborative relationship we work with our children to provide tools by which they can utilize to effectively deal with and overcome any obstacles that might hinder their ability to be whole, healthy and happy human beings.
There is no one set of tools that are appropriate for all children. It takes parents really knowing the essence of who their child is to discern what tools they can offer their child. It’s not about “coping skills”, it’s about helping children know themselves to the point that they can navigate life with a new lens when they look through the “View from their window”.
So, breathe deeply! Close your eyes and visualize something that brings you back into homeostasis with your soul expression. May today bring you a sense of peace, joy, and moments of feeling loved and validated for who you are and what you are gifting humanity.
Ashé! Have a Blessed Day!
**Note: These recordings are based on my blog writings, and all of this comes through Spirit. The recordings are a reflection of the writings and are not edited because I do not want to alter what is coming to me through “Great Spirit”. I am not seeking perfection, only serving as a vessel to bring love, peace, and joy, to our humanity.
Thank You Jim Brickman for your beautiful music that vibrates through this recording. This is a selection from his album – “Music to Quiet Your Mind and Sooth Your World”.
Guiding and Nurturing Our Children Through the Experience of Death-or as we say-Transition from the Physical World to the Spiritual World, is Life’s Most Challenging Lesson.
Teaching our children that each of us are more than our bodies and that it is the spirit inside of our bodies that is powerful and never goes away. Children identify with superheroes and the “Superhero” inside of each of us is more powerful than our bodies. Our spirits never die.
This topic is very fresh for our family right now as we process the transition -or death as some refer to it- of the Patriarch- Grandpa- in our family. I think that it is times like this that my faith makes sense and has context. It is not the first time I have had to deal with this experience with my own child as I tried to figure out how to explain to her that her father had transitioned.
I was very clear, as you will read in my book- Embracing the Gift of Parenthood, that giving children a faith-based context to their life was critical. I wanted her to be able to process her life challenges with a spiritual based foundation that would support her in processing the experiences on her “Life’s Journey”. I wanted her to know that she was supported beyond the physical world and that being in relationship with “Great Spirit”, would sustain her throughout her life and beyond.
I introduced “Great Spirit” (Father, Son, and Spirit Divine) to my child as a “Spirit Guide” that created children, and that loves each child as His own. Throughout her life I continued to infuse more evolved and complex understandings of how “Great Spirit” work with us and for us and that developing a friendship with “Great Spirit” was in fact the greatest and most important relationship she would have. I not only talked the talk, but I was also intentional about letting her witness my faith, strength, and devotion to my relationship with “Great Spirit”.
We are processing this big life’s lesson with our children and grandchildren right now, and the ability to share with them that “Grandpa did not need his physical body anymore because it was no longer supporting his life and the things he liked to do-such as surfing with them, or teaching them to golf, that he decided that because his “Spirit” was so strong and could not only last forever, but would help him still be present with them anytime they needed him, was a real healing factor for them.
We talk to him as we go about our day and laugh about the funny things he used to say or do. When we see a butterfly show up, out of nowhere, we tease and say, “Ok Grandpa-we know you are checking on us”. We make it light and when they have their moments of feeling his not being fully here, we wade through the feelings with them and nurture them back into the light of joy and happiness.
I realize that everyone has a different way of feeling about death and how to process it. I realize that not everybody has a faith-based life context. I realize that so much is involved in our interpretation of death that is colored by faith, culture, and exposure, that there is no right or wrong way to process this perhaps the most difficult experience that a child will have to be guided through.
We as parents have the responsibility of trying to put the process together that will meet the needs, maturity, and nature, of our individual children. I would suggest thinking about this before you have to deal with it in reality. Realize also that even when we plan and have forethought about how to guide our children through difficult life lessons, there is always more truth and knowledge to learn and integrate into our lives.
Peace Be Still!
Thank You Jim Brickman for your beautiful music that vibrates through this recording. This is a selection from his album – “Music to Quiet Your Mind and Sooth Your World”.
Thank You Nicole Añgel Evans for your beautiful photograph to enrich the blog.
Children innately have an energy to fight for justice and truth!
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We have so much work to do!! If we are to teach and expose our children to recognizing and using their gift for discernment of “Truth”, we must let them witness us using our gift and finding the truth to all factors of the human experience. We have to be the safeguards of our democracy and the quality of life we want for our children! We must speak truth to Justice! We must show children in our engagement with them that we value “their truth” and “telling the truth”.
There are so many opportunities to model and to have conversations with children about being an agent of truth. They test the waters of what is and is not truthful in their interactions with us as their parents, siblings, and playmates. Because so many of us are out of are either out of touch with what children think or how children process their “truth”, we are quick to say they are lying.
I can’t stand when an adult calls a young child out as a liar!! Children are not adults with life experiences that taint and manipulate their conceptions and perceptions so that they have a need to alter or re-create what is “Truth”! So much of what children are steeped into is fantasy and their imagination. They see things differently to us. Initially they process their “truth” into fabulous stories that at the time is “their truth”! I never approach children thinking they are liars, instead I simply ask them if what they are saying to me is their “Truth in their heart” or a “story in their mind”.
If children are met with shame and judgment, they most likely will operate from a place of fear and anxiety. I try to develop a relationship built on trust and compassion so that they feel comfortable telling me if what they said was “their truth” or a “creative “story. Sometimes it is difficult for them to tell the difference. It is a process of working through their interpretation of what is truthful and what is created in their minds eye. It takes a lot of cognitive and emotional maturity to be able to not have to create the truth, but to be the truth. We, in the way in which we approach and engage with our children, will determine how they evolve into truthful beings.
I strongly suggest that we step back into the memory of our own childhood and remember the feelings and sensations we experienced as we forged ourselves out of our world of creative licensing in sharing our stories and discerning the truth. It’s a very big step and process for young children. So be patient, be loving, be compassionate, and be of grace.
So, breathe deeply! Close your eyes and visualize something that brings you back into homeostasis with your soul expression. May today bring you a sense of peace, joy, and moments of feeling loved and validated for who you are and what you are gifting humanity.
Thank You Jim Brickman for your beautiful music that vibrates through this recording. This is a selection from his album – “Music to Quiet Your Mind and Sooth Your World”.
“I AM”- Loveable- Words to Live By and Share With Our Children. Life Time Affirmations to Live By-
As a “Global Community” we need to foster positivity and lessons of how to cultivate good self-esteem in our children so that they are in alignment with humility and compassion. This is a practice that we never outgrow. Ashé!
***For translation of the text of the blog: touch the Blue Globe on the top right-hand corner.
Have you ever thought about the possibility that as our children watch us navigate our lives, they are tuning into how we feel about ourselves and consequently, we are teaching them how to feel about themselves?
Our Children are always on our minds!
I AM LOVABLE
I AM COURAGEOUS
I AM CAPABLE
I LOVE TO LEARN
I LOVE TO PLAY AND HAVE FUN
I TAKE CARE OF MY BODY
I TAKE CARE OF THE WORLD AROUND ME
I LOVE OTHERS AS THEY ARE
I AM GENTLE AND STRONG
I LIKE TO SHARE WITH OTHERS
I AM KIND
I AM FULL OF JOY
I AM SPECIAL AND UNIQUE
I AM PROUD TO ME
I AM BEAUTIFUL
I AM POSITIVE
I LIKE TO DO MY BEST
I AM POLITE AND THOUGHTFUL OF OTHERS
I AM COOPERATIVE
I TRUST MYSELF
I RESPECT MYSELF
I CAN BE CALM AND RELAXED BECAUSE I AM IN TUNE WITH MY EMOTIONS
I CAN BE PEACEFUL INSIDE AND OUT IN ORDER TO KEEP MY PEACE AND SHARE MY PEACE
I AM THANKFUL AND I LIVE MY LIFE FROMA A PLACE OF GRATITUDE
IMAGINE IF WE THOUGHT THESE THINGS AND LIVED THESE THINGS- WHAT MIGHT OUR CHILDREN LEARN FROM THIS MODALITY OF LIVING LIFE? AND REMEMBER- THERE IS ALWAYS MORE TRUTH AND KNOWLEDGE TO BEHOLD IN LIFE!
So, breathe deeply! Close your eyes and visualize something that brings you back into homeostasis with your soul expression. May today bring you a sense of peace, joy, and moments of feeling loved and validated for who you are and what you are gifting humanity.
Ashé! Have a Blessed Day!
**Note: These recordings are based on my blog writings, and all of this comes through Spirit. The recordings are a reflection of the writings and are not edited because I do not want to alter what is coming to me through “Great Spirit”. I am not seeking perfection, only serving as a vessel to bring love, peace, and joy, to our humanity.
Thank You Jim Brickman for your beautiful music that vibrates through this recording. This is a selection from his album – “Music to Quiet Your Mind and Sooth Your World”.
Tiny Tips for Moms and Dads #12 It is Not in Our Place and It is Not Our Responsibility to Design and Compose Our Children’s “Divine Identity and Character”!
Children have a “divine design and identity” that dictates the story of their life.
***For translation of the text of the blog: touch the Blue Globe on the top right-hand corner.
They only need us to nourish and guide them on their path as they discover “who they are and what their purpose is”. We can’t write their story and try to impose our perceptions of who we think they are or ought to be”. Great Spirit gifted them already!
So many of as parents fall into the habit of thinking we have the responsibility of perceiving who our children are and try to reconstruct their character traits and personality. It is a misconception to think that we have the responsibility much less the authority of imposing our design on a creation that is perfection. Remembering that no two people are alike, and that “Great Spirit” does not design carbon copies of His creations.
I know sometimes we engage with our children or observe them in action and say to ourselves, “Oh my goodness, Johnny is just like me when I was a child”, I know what he is thinking and going to do before he even does it”! No! No! No! You might have had similar experiences, but you never know what another person is thinking or what makes them react to something the way they do. Our thoughts reside in our minds, colored by what we are feeling and experiencing at the time.
Our past experiences also impact our thoughts and actions. Children are not as consistent as adults. Children are still in a discovering mode of their identity, and they are therefore able to be more flexible, spontaneous, and creative in living” in their life”. They are not bound by what other people think or expect them to be. Their gifts of discernment and ability to be by nature, uninhabited and organic, allows them the freedom to be who they want to be in any situation.
They are not stuck into an identity that has been redesigned and reconstructed by others until we interfere and try to make them someone they are not! I suggest we stay clear of trying to see ourselves or anyone else in our children, because truthfully, “they are their own person”! Wait! Observe! Enjoy! Discover the beauty of your child!
Everyday is a day of being able to discover more of who our children are!
Thank You Jim Brickman for your beautiful music that vibrates through this recording. This is a selection from his album – “Music to Quiet Your Mind and Sooth Your World”.
Children see and recognize the beauty of the world; they just need us to save guard them and the world they are inheriting.
***For translation of the text of the blog: touch the Blue Globe on the top right-hand corner
This blog was written previously about the children landing at our borders and are now living in camps – separated from their families. Now I am re-visiting this because I am so disturbed and hurt about what is happening in the Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Venezuela, Cuba and all over the planet where we are engaged in over 22 wars worldwide. The plight of the people-families and of course THE CHILDREN have to be a global concern!
It has to stop! These wars of aggression and greed on the part of countries that are being run by tyrants clothed in greed and supremacy, must be dealt with. We cannot sit in our homes comfortably and live as though this tyranny does not impact our lives. We know that children are suffering. We know what is fostering and supporting these crimes against humanity as well as the genocide that is happening right before our eyes. There must be a united front to demand that those responsible for this terrorism that is devastating the lives of children, be stopped!
I can’t begin to tell you how devastated I am thinking about the children that are being snatched from their mother’s arms. What is going on in America? Have we lost sight of our core values, or was I mistaken in thinking we were a beacon light in the world standing for justice and compassion for all of humanity. I guess it was merely a smoke screen to hide who a large majority of people are in this country. I should have known better when I look at the truth of our history.
When I read the pages of people’s lives that have endured slavery, turned away from the shores of our country because they were people of color and we didn’t want to get involved. Native Americans whose land we stole and who’s lives and culture we destroyed. The Japanese camps, the homeless on our streets, the mentally and emotionally ill citizens that roam our streets in live in the dark cold bowels of the hell we allow them to squatter in.
Where are the politicians? Where are the educators? Where are the concerned parents? Where are our religious leaders and institutions that profess to care and serve these huddled masses all over the world? Where are we, the ordinary citizens of this global society. I am afraid that this act of kidnapping children from their parents, hides acts of human trafficking.
People, we have a responsibility to call out the people in so call power, the people who are supposed to hold God’s truth to share with mankind, the people who educate our children, the people who are supposed to protect us, the people of wealth, and just you and me, that are supposed to be awake in our lives and have a conscious to do the following:
Stand up to crimes against humanity!
Stand up to those who can institute change!
Speak Up and hold people accountable!
Show up in love, respect, compassion and passion to be agents of change. If we don’t take care of our children and families, society will crumble.
I know this is a heavy topic and might be uncomfortable to listen to, but I don’t have a choice. I know that my life’s purpose is to advocate for children. I know that children are the most precious gift that has been gifted to our humanity. I know I have a responsibility to be true to what “Great Spirit” has instilled in my soul, so I do not apologize for speaking my truth for what is the purpose of our life if we hide our gifts and shelter our truth.
So, breathe deeply! Close your eyes and visualize something that brings you back into homeostasis with your soul expression. May today bring you a sense of peace, joy, and moments of feeling loved and validated for who you are and what you are gifting humanity.
Ashé! Have a Blessed Day!
**Note: These recordings are based on my blog writings, and all of this comes through Spirit. The recordings are a reflection of the writings and are not edited because I do not want to alter what is coming to me through “Great Spirit”. I am not seeking perfection, only serving as a vessel to bring love, peace, and joy, to our humanity.
Thank You Jim Brickman for your beautiful music that vibrates through this recording. This is a selection from his album – “Music to Quiet Your Mind and Sooth Your World”.
Tiny Tips for Moms and Dads-#11- There is Joy in the Morning, and Peace in the Night, When You Realize –What a Blessing Your Children are!
Just Amazing Perfection!
***For translation of the text of the blog: touch the Blue Globe on the top right-hand corner.
There is Joy in the Morning, and Peace in the Night, When You Realize –What a Blessing Your Children are!
Our children are the true miracles of life that bring us love, joy, peace, and contentment.
As my elders and ancestors would attest, “there is joy in the morning”! It’s like our cups are so full and overflowing, that at times we can’t catch our breath. It seems that we are so consumed with an abiding love for them that they fill our hearts and souls with unimaginable joy, fulfillment, and divine purpose, for it istruly an awesome gift to be able to parent a child.
I am not ignoring the challenges will have to experience while on this life’s journey with them but trust me it is worth every sacrifice and fortitude that we are called to make, because children give to us an unconditional love and acceptance that no one else has the soul essence to share. There is a cycle to this because as a parent, we in turn are the ones who have the capacity to do that for our children. There is an instinctual bond from the womb to eternity.
Fathers are bonded differently to mothers in that they instinctually go into a protective stance that never ends and that no one can sever between the child and father. It is as if they grow in heights that can reach from here to the beyond. Parents carry a special and unique human expression that goes into effect when they have a child to raise, nurture, and guide.
We seem to tap into in automatically if everything in our own life makes us open and available to committing ourselves to the position of being parent. Depending on all the circumstances of our life, it is important for us to be ready to step into parenthood because it is a lifetime commitment. I can’t begin to verbalize or articulate what the experience has held for me in my life.
I do so love children, and to have a child of my own, has been the greatest gift of my life. I cherish so much of what she has brought to the fabric of my life. The sound of her voice when she is excited makes my heartbeat faster and her excitement runs through my body like a shock wave. When she cries, I tremble inside and I feel her tear drops falling on my heart.
When she is proud of herself, I feel like I will burst with pride and find ways to acknowledge how I am so supportive of what she has accomplished. When she is filled with joy, I light up like a thousand neon light bulbs! When she is at peace and knows that all is well with her soul, my soul is in a stance of peace and contentment!
You see parents are connected to their children physically, emotionally, and spiritually. When we awaken into our status of being a parent, we will know “Joy in the Morning” and “Peace in the Night”, when they are safe and sound in bed fast asleep.
So, breathe deeply! Close your eyes and visualize how intricately you are connected to this life that you have brought on to this planet that has its own unique and “Divined Identity” and “Divined Purpose. May today bring you a sense of peace, joy, and moments of feeling loved and validated for who you are your journey through parenthood, and what you are not only gifting humanity, but how the life of your child is a blessing to you, and how you are a blessing to your child.
Heart to Soul Parenting-
Thank You Jim Brickman for your beautiful music that vibrates through this recording. This is a selection from his album – “Music to Quiet Your Mind and Sooth Your World”.
