Pablo Casals the famous Spanish Catalan cellist and conductor said “Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that never was before and never will be again. And what do we teach our children? We teach them that two and two make four, and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them what they are? We should say to each of them: Do you know who you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you. Your legs, your arms, your clever fingers, the way you move. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you, a marvel? You must work, we must all work, to make the world worthy of its children.”
The children are our future, and what we teach them matters. By reminding children of who and what they are, we are teaching them to live from the inside out as the marvelous beings they each are. Sometimes we forget our uniqueness and the power in that individuality. Let’s all remind young children who they are, so they can pass it on for future generations who want to live in a marvelous world.
In thinking about living an authentic life, children come to mind. They are authentic. Creating, discovering, playing and trusting…..until the outer world dictates new experiences, reshaping a child’s vision of life. As you become an adult, it can be a challenge to move out the the depths of an inauthentic life. Becoming authentic is an act of creating, shaping you into what is unique to you. Much as when you were a child, listening to the heart and acting upon it.
Children are courageous, unafraid. They explore by touching everything in site. Looking at the world for the first time is a wonderful experience that many people forget as they grow up. Children are great teachers of living an authentic life. By tearing down the walls of fear, we can live a life of courage and authenticity. You are as unique as your fingerprint. There are no two alike. You are special and have a gift to share with the world, as only you can deliver it.
The theme of Debra’s Newsletter this month is Friendship and whilst reading it I was reminded of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s line from his poem ‘Youth and Age’ that, “Friendship is a sheltering tree.” That makes me feel a warm glow growing inside of me, the same glow I feel when I am amongst my true friends.
The other friendship that gives me that feeling of warmth is my connection with Nature, a simple connection that helps to keep my feet on the ground and my head out of the clouds. It helps to remind me that I am a cog in the machinery life and of the whole grand scheme of things, so I need to be in sync with Nature to enable me to do my share of the work in taking care of the World I live in not just for myself but for everyone else and of course for future generations to love and enjoy too.
Whilst out walking the other day I watched a young family enjoying the countryside; taking for free what Mother Nature had provided for them, foraging for blackberries, elder berries, wild garlic and hazel nuts. The kids were having so much enjoyment and were amazed and thrilled at what their parents were showing them. I wished them all to “have a lovely day,” to which the young girl replied “Oh we will, isn’t Nature wonderful!” A tear came to my eye as I walked away thinking to myself that if more parents did things like that with their kids I could rest assured that our World was in safe hands.
That little girl had found a friendship, a friendship that will live in her heart forever. I can’t think of a better way of introducing kids to Nature than by taking them out into it, whether it be the back garden, a local park, the woods or even the seashore and letting them see it, feel it, hear it and taste it (under supervision of course) for themselves. Give them the freedom and opportunity to make a lifelong friendship with Nature; you could just be saving the World!
Innocence exists in each of us. We came into this world free of judgment. Our senses loving, inquisitive, and at peace. There is no pretense in a very young child. Everyone loves a baby’s innocence – which carries a sense of wonder. Perhaps reminding us who we are, how we have changed, and directing us back to living in the NOW. Children radiate joy and innocence. They are clear, living fully present in each moment, trusting that they will be taken care of.
Look into your eyes. What do you see? Are they free of judgment of self and others? Are there clouds of fear, confusion or doubt? Can you look at yourself feeling good about You? Do you love yourself? Children are in touch with being present in each moment. Most people half commit and lose themselves in the process. I think a good question for each of us to ask ourselves is, “Am I ready to commit to being all in – NOW”? If the answer is no, what is stopping you? A lifetime of “stuff” has been piled high upon all of us. You are not alone. Our outlook went from innocence to hundreds of different qualities, some which keep us safe, in a world that is less than peaceful and loving. You can choose to throw off the “stuff” you don’t want, or anything that does not serve you. As an adult, it is wise to take responsibility for everything you create. Yes, people influenced, shaped, educated and directed you. Most of them dusted off their own experiences, passing them on to you as advice. Some good, some bad. Take the good, discard the bad. Look inside to find YOU. Not the “you” that other people helped shape, but the YOU that you truly are. The return to innocence will lead the way.
I have met a wonderful woman on Facebook this week. Her name is Jane Monica Tvedt and she is a wonderful artist who is assisting in an Art Auction for the Children of Malawi on June 11th 2009. Living in Courage would like to support this endeavor for the children by spreading the word online.
The well known Erik Thorstvedt will be in charge of the auction. Behind the auction are independent distributors of Nourish The Children product. The aim is to get money to support as many children as possible one year ahead. They are already setting a goal to have one art project a year to raise money for people who are suffering.
I am posting two You Tube Video’s (click on Read More below to view) from “Empire of Heart Norway” about the auction and the children of Malawi. The paintings in this video will be at the art auction June 11, 2009. The sale of the painting will go to the children in Malawi.
If someone would like to put in a bid on the art, please contact Inger Elise – Lege
Mail: hel.se.hel@gmail.com
I have a most delightful friend in Rosemary Holmes-Gull. She has written the magical children’s book “Imagine That” - a book of true inspiration that represents courage to me. Part of the proceeds from sales of the book go to “Mothers Without Borders.” Rosemary’s son Bentley did the beautiful illustrations.The campaign day for the book May 26th 2009. If you would go to Rosemary’s website (Children’s Imaginings) that day – May 26th to order to order “Imagine That” this will help her get up the best seller charts!! I know you will love this book. Please share it with your family and friends. They will thank you for it.
Imagine That…A Picture Book of Possibilities
This delightful picture book inspires and motivates children to see and believe in their magnificence. Using examples from nature–the ant, the butterfly, and the bumble bee–children come to understand their power, their ability to overcome difficulties and challenges, even the ability to do the seemingly impossible. All of this because they have been blessed with the gift of imagination. A recurring theme throughout the book is: If you believe it, you will find a way to achieve it.
This has truly been a labor of love for Rosemary,” a work of heart” as she plans to donate part of the proceeds from sales of the book to Mothers Without Borders, an organization that works with AIDS orphans in Zambia. Rosemary is traveling to Zambia in July to work as a volunteer with the children.
She is especially proud of the wonderful illustrations that her son, Bentley provided for the book. It was joyful experience to collaborate with him in this venture.
Children are our future, so it is vital that they realize they hold joy inside through the power of Love. This lovely book teaches children how to Live in Courage.
I love this video of Sophia telling us to be kind. Being kind should be what you strive to do. All day. Every day. When you are kind to people, guess what? – they are kind to you. Imagine that! It’s pretty much that simple. Thank God for the courage and wisdom of the wonderful children of the world.
This video is exceptional. The story at the end says it all. I hope you enjoy this video, it is a education in itself, as well as a comedy routine. Education Guru Sir Ken Robinson spoke at the “TED” convention, where 1000 great minds meet once a year in Monterey, California. I quote Sir Ken Robinson:
If you are not prepared to be wrong – you will not come up with anything original. People are being educated out of their creative capacity. We do not grow into creativity, we grow out of it. As far as education for children, we need to educate their whole being. Picasso said ” All children are born artists.” How do we remain artists as we grow up?
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