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Thoughts from a Nurtured Heart . . . |
 Energy flows where attention goes. Positive or negative.
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With the Nurtured Heart Approach, we have the opportunity to shift from crisis management to showing up to share the script of inner wealth. 
 I’m thinking today about the anticipation with which I approach a piece of fresh fruit. This morning it was a Cutie. I was excited and expected to encounter tangy satisfaction once I peeled the tangerine. Stands 1 and 2 (no to negativity, yes to positivity) encourage us to approach people in this same way, with an eye on greatness. Once in awhile I get something less than desirable inside an orange. I don’t hold that against fruit and it doesn’t make me less hopeful the next time around.
Lighting up in anticipation of greatness lends itself toward rich and nutritious satisfaction with fellow humans.  We want to recognize children when we see they have been making many decisions to follow rules. We can also share that we know children know they have the power to break rules pretty much any time they want. The fact that they've made so many choices to be on track with their behavior reflects responsibility, self-control and good judgment about rules and safety. In addition, we can tell them we also know they will make mistakes and that we trust they will learn from those mistakes.
As you have these conversations, recognize your honesty, courage and the confidence you extend to the children in your care.  Family and classroom conversations about feelings is a good place to start the introduction of “reset.” Whether you use that word or not, you might open discussion with, "How did you handle strong feelings today?" We want kids to notice and feel their bodies and ultimately connect emotions to the thinking part of the brain in times of need, so they can feel their feelings and make thoughtful choices. That takes practice and opportunities to celebrate success. Some of us view reset as a gift. Another question you might ask is, "When did you give yourself the gift of starting again today?"
 Celebrate your ability to
step away from habits and practices that don't serve you well in order to move in a new direction!  Authentic, practical, transformative . . . I found no reason to paraphrase:
“I knew I wanted to have a daily practice, because I knew that I would need discipline in order to shift the momentum of the habit of focusing on what's not working. I picked something simple that wouldn't require changing my daily routines, because I know myself all too well. Setting aside time for daily practice simply doesn't happen. I forget, other priorities arise, and I end up not doing it. So I picked bedtime. Whatever else happens, I always get into bed at some point. That was the point in time I chose. The practice consisted of lying in bed, breathing fully and slowly, and reviewing my day, looking for everything that could possibly be a source of gratitude. Not as a checklist, but really pausing with each one, putting my attention again and again on the mystery, wonder, magic, and awe that is the experience of whatever happened, whoever contributed to it. My primary focus was on the people who contributed to my life.” ~Miki Kashtan Kashtan, Miki. "Gratitude in the Midst of Difficulty." Spinning Threads of Radical Aliveness: Transcending the Legacy of Separation in Our Individual Lives. Oakland, CA: Fearless Heart Publications, 2014. p. 173. Print. Also licensed under Creative Commons.  Let's breathe in and receive compliments, recognition and appreciation from others as a way of acknowledging our own inner wealth. This is an important model for young people.
 Consider the powerful difference between curiosity and judgment. You get to choose.
 We are so complex, bringing a lifetime to each moment. What are your intentions for today? How will you forgive yourself when your delivery is out of sync with your intent?
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Paula WickThe Thoughts from a Nurtured Heart blog includes ideas and perspectives encountered through intentional living. Posts include ideas that support NHA but are not necessarily explicit teachings of Howard Glasser. I've done my best to properly attribute ideas I borrow from others. Archives
August 2018
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