Sunday, January 3, 2021

Timeless Wisdom - Evolutionary Vision - Value: Adventure!

Welcome to 2021! Our Centers for Spiritual Living annual theme is... Timeless Wisdom and Evolutionary Vision. Rooted in Spiritual practices and principles we embark on a personal journey of self discovery and evolution. Think of it as a call to Adventure, which is also our "value" for this week. 

"Don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth." Rumi

Every part of life is an Adventure! In order to be prepared for our daily adventures there are things we need to take along with us. First, we will need a Vision (Thoughts/ Ideas). This helps us determine where we want to go, what we want to learn and how we wish to grow. 

What are some of the things you would like to learn, or do this year? What do they look like? Feel like? Taste like? Smell like? How will you feel when you have achieved them?

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”   Ralph Waldo Emerson

We will need Nourishment (Spiritual Practices) along the way so we stay full of positive thoughts and feelings. Just like food, our spiritual practices help to remind our mind, heart and body that we are a supported by a Power for good that is always working for us! 

What will you need for yourself, for your body, for your mind? Do you need food and water? Prayer and meditation? A special type of clothing? Do you need certain knowledge or to learn a new skill? 

"Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire." Unknown

We will also need some Wisdom Tools (Spiritual Principles) to help us when obstacles (fear, self doubt, etc) appear to get in our way.

What are some of the tools you will need to bring? What would you need if something unexpected happens? What if you get lost? What if you encounter an obstacle? Do you think tools like, Courage, Strength, Faith and Wisdom would be helpful?

"Courage doesn't always ROAR. Sometimes courage is the silent voice at the end of the day that says, 'I will try again tomorrow." Mary Anne Radmacher

Here are a few affirmations to support you this week as you embark on your unique and exciting Adventure. 

"I know that wonderful things are going to happen to me." Ernest Holmes

"My faith gives me courage and I believe in myself." B. Hull, S. Pelly

"I am confident, adventurous and brave." Author Unknown 

Mindfulness practices help our mind make good choices. Unlike meditations, mindfulness is often a short activity that you can do anytime to refocus, recenter and reconnect with your inner presence. Below are two practices (and a video) you can try out at home this week. Get everyone in your household involved and have some fun.

LION BREATH Go to the floor on all fours, take a deep breath through your nose, open your mouth as big as you can, stick your tongue out, open eyes wide, and ROAR!  

Confidence Meditation for Kids by Lars the Lion of the Primsa Pals. 6:18min https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJwcC_Hfmcg

SUPERHERO STANCE Stand strong and tall, head held high, legs apart slightly farther than the width of your shoulders, hands in a fist on either side of your waist. Visualize you are your favorite Superhero and take 5-10 deep breaths, in through you nose, out through your mouth. Feel your personal POWER.

Music is another way to connect to our truth and have fun. Here are two links to videos (YouTube) that fit with this weeks lesson of Adventure! (Skip the adds and enjoy!)

“I Want to See you be Brave” by Sara Bareilles 
 https://youtu.be/QUQsqBqxoR4 

Children's Books! We have some wonderful story books to share this week to support our Value of Adventure. Some have links to YouTube videos where you can listen to the book being read online. Or stock up your own personal library. 

Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave, by Jessica Hische
https://youtu.be/b8H-ofWMxgY

What Makes a Hero? by Pamela Bobowicz 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82K4HXAPd3

Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak
https://youtu.be/ALmNPxNehYE

Creativity! There are so many ways you can get creative this using the value of Adventure. Below are a few ideas to get you started. 

Adventure Affirmations: Create a piece of art with a statement such as “LOVE is my Superpower!” as the centerpiece. Then place it somewhere you can see it everyday to remind you of your special unique qualities. Or... create a picture using the values you will need on your adventure. Here are a few words to get you started, Courage, Fun, Kindness, Love, Compassion. 

Plan your Adventure: Create a map to help guide your Thoughts/ Ideas/ Dreams towards your Goals. Decide on your adventure. What kind of adventure is it? What qualities or superpowers will you need on this adventure? Write them down, draw pictures or use symbols to represent your qualities. (Tips, you can use old maps to create a collage, then add your "qualities/values/superpowers" in words to support your adventure. You could draw little footprints on your map to show the direction you will travel.)

Creative Writing/ Storytelling: Write your own story about something new you’d like to do; like ride a bike, learn to swim, or play a musical instrument. Or, tell a story about someone you know who was Brave. Perhaps there is an animal that is brave or the brave person is you. Create a picture, story or book by drawing and/or writing. Make sure to share it with someone so they can support you in your new adventure.

Go On An Adventure: This idea is basically a role playing activity. It feels a little like Mad Libs too. It can start with “Once upon a time..” or  "One day..” there was a character, and they lived here and they did this and that, then one day something happened, etc, etc, the end. The storyteller just leads the story to places where the children can fill in the blank and you end up on some of the greatest adventures. Along the way, add obstacles help to foster problem solving skills.

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We would love to hear from you and/or see your creative projects. Feel free to post comments, photos (with parents permissions) and anything you would like to share. We are all on this Adventure of Life together! 

Have a great week. 

Photo credit to: Melissa Askew - on Unsplash










 

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