My Special Place
"Life is wiggly" says Alan Watts, and I couldn't agree more! One moment it seems like the path in front of us is clear and straight, the next the ground as fallen away beneath our feet and we're not sure which way to turn.
Supporting children to develop the inner resources to meet the challenges of life is a vital step in building their resilience to be able to stay upright and on track when their lives are "wiggly". Rick Hanson, Ph.D., psychologist, Senior Fellow at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, and bestselling author says, "we need resources to deal wtih issues" and those resources can be found in the world (that is external to us, such as family members, financial resources, other professionals), or can be found in our own minds and bodies.
Dr Hanson goes on to say that our attitudes, capabilities, virtues and emotions make up our inner resources and we can proactively build these inner resources so that we not only strengthen our resilience but enhance our self-confidence to feel more optimistic about life.
An important skill for children to develop is the ability to self-soothe, to not only comfort themselves but also be comfortable in their own presence, to know that they can turn inwards as well as outwards (to parents, carers, friends and teachers) for support, to feel safe and calm.
Download the "My Special Place" meditation below, where children are guided to their own special place where they are welcomed by their animals friends, feel safe, loved and happy.
Or listen to the meditation below.
Or listen to the My Special Peaceful Place Meditation here