June is here! Our half way mark through 2021. So much has changed since this year began and more changes are on the way. June often marks the month of beginnings and endings. Students graduate from one grade to the next. Some are taking big leaps, graduating from High School and entering College in the fall. Others are nearing College graduation and entering the work force in a new way. June also celebrates Pride, commemorates Juneteenth, the emancipation from slavery, is the month of summer solstice and Father's Day. It's all fertile ground for a wide range of "Feelings" to occur.
This weeks theme invites us to feel our feelings, even the painful ones, or the ones that trigger fear. We humans often try to hide our feelings or push aside the ones that bring up fear, yet fear can be a motivator if you allow it to be. Pain is often a signal that something is off or is in need of correction and our attention.
What if, we didn't avoid or deny pain or fear and instead embraced it as an invitation to go deeper into love, higher consciousness and an opportunity for us to stand in our personal power from a place of choice?
"When we talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting and less scary. Fred Rogers aka Mr. Rogers
Unless you are in some isolated location, it's safe to say we humans are constantly receiving information and messages about how to do this, or how to do that, what to say or not say, do or not do. Expectations from our family, teachers, siblings or own thoughts can sometimes feel overwhelming. Our feelings are our inner voice speaking to us, trying to get our attention. We are always at choice about how we act or react to our feelings, even when we think we aren't. Try thinking of your feelings as your very own personal guidance system that can help you decide which decisions to make and what actions to take. If you feel yourself triggered, take a deep breath (or 3) and tune into your Higher Power or Inner Spirit. Let the goodness of your inner wisdom guide you.
“We have within us a power…that can overcome
every obstacle in our experience and set us safe,
satisfied and at peace, healed and prosperous in a
new light and a new life.” Ernest Holmes - Science of Mind
We have the power within us to find the good in most situations if we try. It's not that we cover up the challenges or difficulties, we use them to grow in a new or greater understanding. Our personal power is often strengthened by the tough choices in life far more than those that come easy. We may not see it in the moment, yet time and reflection create opportunities of perspective. The contrast of our experiences teaches us to see with greater clarity how we wish to live our life.
"Feelings or emotions are the universal language and are to be honored. They are the authentic expression of who you are at your deepest place. Judith Wright"
Often when I find that I am in the midst of a difficult situation, or have BIG emotions about something in my life, I make the time and space to tune into Gratitude. Identifying things, people, places, actions, past situations, activities or ways of being that I am grateful for helps me to tune into my personal power in a deep and profound way. When I can find the "Thank You" in a situation, it helps me to move forward in choice that serves all from the highest good, even if it may also be painful.
Here are some questions to consider in exploration of your feelings. Have a discussion with a friend or your family and learn together. What are some of the moments in your life that you've learned the greatest lesson from? Think on a past challenge, how did you resolve it? What did you lear from it? If faced with it again, would you choose differently? What is something that you might be feeling sad about that is ending? What is something that you are looking forward to? What is something you thought you would never get through or learn that you do now without thinking about it?
Meditations/Mindfulness:
Kids meditation to befriend difficult emotions
Emotional Awareness - Mindfulness for Kids building emotional intelligence
From Fablefy
Affirmations:
I honor my feelings and allow them to inform me.
I have the power to change my thinking and make good choices.
I am a divine expression of love and allow love to guide my emotions.
I am strong, powerful and grateful for my experiences.
I am doing the best I can in all that I do, think and feel.
Music:
These are my Feelings - Kid's Learning Songs
"Emotions" from StoryBots - Super Songs Episode 8 - Netflix Jr
Books:
The Most Magnificent Thing - By Ashly Spires - from Read Along
Stand Tall Molly Lou Mellon - by Patty Lovell
Creativity:
Emotions/Feelings Charades
If you haven't played or created your own emotions charades game this is a great week to give that a try. There are many different emoticon or emotions that can be printed. Use your favorite search engine to look up - Chart of Emotions and you are bound to find something that will work. Cut out the faces and glue them to a solid piece of colored card stock or thick paper to create your deck of cards. Then gather together and play emotions charades. Each person has to act out the emotion and the audience gets to guess. The one who gets it right, takes the next turn. Remember to give everyone a turn!
Chart of Emotions/Feelings
Using that same search - create a household chart of emotions. Then post it somewhere where everyone can see it. Start each day by finding the emotion that most fits your mood. Your emotions may change throughout the day and that's okay. If you are having a hard time explaining how you feel, find your emotion on the chart and share it with someone. That way they will understand how you are feeling too.
Enjoy your week everyone and remember to honor your feelings!
Special thanks to photographers: Priscilla DuPree, Brock Wegner & Yasin Yusuf from Unsplash.com
