Limitless Possibilities

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Jennifer

A few years ago I taught a troubled teenager. He struggled with rage and isolation, and had trouble believing in himself. When his birthday came around, I wrote him this poem–and without a preconceived reason as to why, I was moved to share it with you today.

Every seed
is hand-crafted
and placed lovingly
in a world of sweetness.

Someone eats the fruit
and casts the seed aside,
and the seed keeps the memory
of being surrounded with sweetness
for the rest of its life.

Every seed
contains the hope of sky,
and the memory of a twisted passageway,
and longing–longing for light.

And inside every seed
burns a steady darkness.
Not the kind where you can just make out the shapes
of things, but the kind where nothing
is visible.

Every seed needs that kind of darkness,
for that is the way it will look
when they are planted in the ground.

A Fisherman once told his fellow fishermen
to cast their nets into the deepest, darkest part
of the sea. Soon they were up to their knees in fish.
Not all darkness is bad.

And every seed
holds a question.
That question, once answered,
opens that seed into vast, cathedrals
of light. And then,

life blazes upwards,
past stones, through earth,
through darkness, and out–
out into the golden warmth
of limitless possibilities.

Interview with Brad Yates: Tapping Into Happy, Joyous, and Free

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Jennifer

Dear Readers,

About 6 months ago, I made a new vision board. On that vision board I put an symbol for EFT tapping because I eventually want to become an EFT practitioner. Well on Friday, June 24th, I had the great pleasure of interviewing internationally known tapping practitioner, speaker, and author, Brad Yates. THAT was not on my vision board–as far as EFT being in my life in that way and with Brad, but it does illustrate the power of visualization and manifestation, because the Universe brought Brad and I together thus fullfilled that part of my vision board in a way I couldn’t have forseen!

The interview really turned out to be more of a conversation in which we discussed EFT tapping and addictions, children and tapping, following your dreams, and more. He even led me in a tapping session at the end of our talk that you will not want to miss. It was a wonderful hour. Brad was patient and generous, as I was a little nervous having never interviewed anyone ever for any reason. In fact, I was so nervous, I ended up calling him 3 hours early! (He lives in LA and I’m in Philly) Anyway, it worked out great! Please take the time to look over Brad’s bio and website. The interview is near the bottom of this post. Just click it and enjoy!

Here is Brad’s Bio and link.

Brad likes to think of himself as an Evolution Catalyst. He is known internationally for his creative and often humorous work with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Brad has worked with a diverse group of clients, from CEO’s to professional and NCAA athletes, from award-winning actors to clients in social service programs. He has been a presenter at a number of events, including Jack Canfield’s “Breakthrough to Success.” He is the author of the best-selling children’s book “The Wizard’s Wish” and co-author of the best-seller “Freedom at Your Fingertips.” Brad is a featured expert in the EFT movie “The Tapping Solution” and has partnered on teleseminars with Joe Vitale and Bob Doyle of “The Secret.”

Link to Brad’s website:
http://www.bradyates.net/

Please check out his website. You will find many free videos and resources. His spirt of giving is a great example to follow.

To listen to the interview, simply click on the link below. It’s about an hour long. Enjoy.

http://www.bradyates.net/wonderchild062411.mp3

The Spiritual Aspects of the Parts of Speech, Part V, Pronouns

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Jennifer

Pronouns

In a nutshell, pronouns take the place of nouns. He, she, it, him, her, them, they, we, you or I are all pronouns. In addition, pronouns have several special powers that other parts of speech do not have. Pronouns can possess things—yours, mine, theirs, his, hers. They can demonstrate things, like “This is the color I want.” That and these are also pronouns. And finally, pronouns can interrogate–they can ask questions: who, what, where, when, whom, are all pronouns. Other words like everyone, many, or everything, are also pronouns.

The two most commonly used pronouns are you and I, with I being perhaps the most often used. In fact, it is a defining moment in the life of a child when they suddenly, for the first time, use the word I. It’s significant, because for a while, little children experience themselves as being one with everything. Not only that, but they will often refer to themselves by their own name: “Billy wants a cupcake,” Billy might say about himself, or “Sally wants to go to the library,” Sally might say about herself. So when a child begins saying the word I he or she will soon be saying it a million times a day.

I remember when our second son came running around the hallway corner one day when he was about three. As he came by he grabbed the wall to stop himself. And as he did, he stopped just long enough to look up at me and shout: “I!”—And then he was off again running, happily shouting, “I! I!” From that day forward the word I has been a part of his everyday vocabulary.

Today, reflect on the two most popular pronouns you and I. Practice saying you more often today than I or my. Practice thinking about someone else today more than I, me, my, and mine. Reflect on the significance of you and I—how they go together so naturally, so necessarily. Reflect on the Ubuntu saying, “I am because you are.” And if you still have room for more after all that reflecting, try writing a poem about yourself without using the words I, me, my, or mine. Try writing a poem about someone you love without using the words you or I. Finally, try writing a prayer to the God (or Goddess) of your understanding without using either you or I.

And just for fun, let’s end the post with a video from Schoolhouse Rocks! Cheers!

A Teaching Story on Mercy from the Conference of the Birds, a Sufi Fable by Farid ud-Din Attar

Posted on June 26, 2011 by Jennifer

The Conference of the Birds, by Farid ud-Din Attar is one of my favorite pieces of spiritual literature. I first read it nearly 20 years ago and it has stuck with me as a regular source of inspiration and comfort. What follows is one of many stories from the book, which is essentially a long poem about a group of birds that go about trying to find a king (God). A hoopoe bird leads them on their quest to find, what Attar calls, the Simurgh, which is an old Iranian mythological winged being. The birds go through many trials and tribulations all told through stories. Here’s a story I have plucked out of this vast treasure house of stories after which I offer just a wee bit of commentary.

“A man who drank too much often came to the point when he lost both his senses and his self respect. Once, a friend came across him in this deplorable state, lying on the road. So he got a sack and put him in feet first and put the sack over his shoulder and set off for home. On the way, another drunk appeared, reeling along, supported by a companion. At this, the man whose head hung out of the sack, woke up, and seeing the other in this pitiable state said reprovingly: “Ah, unhappy man, in future drink two cups of wine less, then you will be able to walk as I do now—free and alone.”

Our own state is not different. We see faults because we do not love. If we had the least understanding of real love, the faults of those near to us would appear as good qualities.”

When I first read that story I was convicted to the quick! For years I went around criticizing others (usually in my head, but sometimes out loud with words or with rolled eyes), never once realizing I was just afraid to look at my own faults.

Now I know everyone is a mirror, everyone is a teacher. If I see a good quality in someone it is because I possess that quality, whether I am consciously aware of it or not. Likewise, when I am critical and condemning of someone, I too possess the fault I am pointing out, and am simply unable or unwilling to deal with it.

And while Attar tells us real love overlooks the faults of others, he never says to condone abuse or irresponsibility. He is talking about those things that we are always critical about in other people—all the fault finding and nit-picking. Focus on ourselves, he is saying, and look for the good. If I truly want to follow my dreams I will need to not only learn real love of others, but of myself. I need to learn to look for the good in myself also.

My own brand of self-centeredness used to manifest in my constantly putting myself down. Just as I used to only see the bad in others, I used to only see the bad in myself. Oh, I could idolize you and see good in you sometimes, but I didn’t know it was because I had it in myself too—I used it to compare myself with and to further put myself down when I always came out lacking. My self-image, my self-esteem used to be horribly low—dangerously low.

Today I extend Attar’s advice about overlooking the faults of others to overlooking some of my own. I no longer have to be perfect at everything I do, think, or feel (and interestingly, the more I accept myself, the “perfect” I am becoming–in terms of being at peace with myself the way I am–the shame is lessoning). I can extend the mercy I show towards others to myself. And as far as dealing with those things that I do need to change in myself, for those I need other people that I trust to help me work through them—it’s hard for me to objectively see them—I’m too emotionally involved.

Lastly, I have EFT to help me accept and love myself. Tapping through my issues, which live in the cell of my cells, has helped free me up
to become a channel for love and mercy, towards others and myself.

*while the second edition is much more expense it is the better of the two in terms of translations–very accessible. And it is a prose translation.

The Spiritual Aspects of the Parts of Speech, Part IV, Adverbs

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Jennifer

Welcome back, Dear Readers. Today we will be taking a look at the spiritual aspects of adverbs.

Adverbs

Recall what we said yesterday about verbs. Recall that they are the doing words. Recall how we are active, vital beings—always doing. Now let’s go a little deeper.

How do you do what you do?

Adverbs are the adjectives of verbs. You could say, I walked to work. Or, I walked happily to work. You could say, He took my hand. Or, He gently took my hand. Adverbs usually end in “ly,” but not always. And not all “ly” words are adverbs, but as a general rule, that’s the scoop.

Reflect on how you do things today. Do you speak slowly, quickly, softly, loudly, or kindly? Do you walk swiftly, slowly, gently? How do you grasp things at the dinner table? Gracefully? Hungrily? Do you listen carefully or carelessly? Do you listen attentively and compassionately or judgmentally? How do you eat? Do you eat slowly, savoring every bite? Or ravishingly, barely tasting anything? Do you react patiently or violently to a traffic jam? Does it depend? How do you pray? Trustfully, gratefully, or frighteningly and bitterly? How do you remember the past? Bitterly or joyfully? Both? Reflect on how you do what you. This is very beneficial. It will help you and those around you live more peacefully and consciously

As a fun game, gather a few friends around or a bunch of kids aged 8 and up and play the following game:

In the Manner of the Word

Brainstorm all of the adverbs you can think of and write them down so everyone can see them. Then pick someone to step out of the room and have the rest of you quietly pick an adverb from the list that you all can agree on. Then have the person who stepped out come back in. Then he or she gets to give the rest of you acting directions like: “Walk in the manner of the word; read a book in the manner of the word, brush your teeth in the manner of the word.” And so on. And you have to act out the directions. You can all act the directions out together, at the same time, or the person can pick one of you to act it out individually. The object is for the person making all of you do those silly acting things to try and guess which adverb it is that you picked while he or she was out of the room. It’s a hilarious game. Have fun.

The Spiritual Aspects of the Parts of Speech, Part III, Adjectives

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Jennifer

Adjectives

Adjectives are the painting words in our language. You could say, The lion., and that would technically be a complete sentence, but why not say what the lion is doing?—The lion roared. Next, imagine what the lion looks like: The golden lion roared. Or, The wild-eyed, golden-maned lion roared. The sentences with the adjectives are more interesting. They give you a better picture. You could say, The flower grows. Or, The beautiful red rose grows. See what I mean?

Our handy online etymology dictionary says that the origins for the word adjective mean to add to or throw near. What words do you add to the names of things? Do you throw in swear words? Do you add pet-phrases that somehow describe what you are saying? Are the describing words you use mostly of a visual nature? Do you speak in generalities or can you be specific?

Reflect on the nature of adjectives. Really play with them, for adjectives make the creation alive and interesting—they are the painters and poets of our language. They are creators and catalysts. Imagine, for example, what color God is. What color is His/Her hair? Reflect on the colors of emotions. What color is pain? Reflect on the sounds you listen to. Which sounds do you love? Which sounds are grating? Reflect on the textures of things. Do you prefer soft clothes or rough? Hold someone’s hand today, a friend, spouse, or a child, and describe what that is like—both the feel of their hand and the feeling that act brings to your heart. Reflect on the colors you see in a given day—or do you see them? Is your life grey and covered in dust? If so, do a cleaning and get out the paint brushes of adjectives and color your world with beautiful descriptions. Reflect on the qualities that describe the Divine. And let’s not forget about the sense of smell. Reflect on the kinds of smells you love. Describe them. What does heaven smell like? Try to use adjectives in every sentence you say today—try and use all the senses too. Even if it sounds outrageous and silly—have fun and play with adjectives.

A Walk on the Lighter Side–Some Playful Jokes, Sayings, Puns, and Riddles

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Jennifer

Laughing is inner jogging.—Norman Cousins

Along the journey of following Your Heart’s Desire we all need a good laugh now and then. In the tradition of the Prairie Home Companion’s Annual Joke Night, I hereby declare, Friday, June 3rd, as our day to laugh here at the Wonder Child Blog. Enjoy, and please send in your own funnies. Maybe we’ll do this more than just once a year! And hopefully we laugh here on other days too, of course…But for today…It’s laughing yoga time!

One-Liners

He hits from both sides of the plate. He’s amphibious.—Yogi Berra

I think it’s wrong that only one company makes the game Monopoly.

–Steven Wright

You can’t have everything. Where would you put it?—Steven Wright

A good pun is its own reword

Déjà Moo: The feeling that you’ve heard this cow before.

Does the name Pavlov ring a bell?

I get enough exercise just by pushing my luck.

Riddles
What’s white when it’s dirty?—a blackboard.

What goes, “Oom, oom, oom?”—a cow walking backwards.

What’s the difference between here and there?—the letter t.

What’s the longest word in the dictionary?—Smiles. There’s a mile between the first and last letter.

What do you call an ice cream man in Arizona?—The Good Yuma Man.

Wacky-Business Card:

Mr. Phil T. Hans—Soap Manufacturer

Groaners:

Many years ago, a baker’s assistant called Richard the Pourer, whose job it was to pour the dough mixture in the making of sausage rolls, noted that he was running low on one of the necessary spices. He sent his apprentice to the store to buy more.

Unfortunately, upon arriving at the shop, the young man realized that he had forgotten the name of the ingredient. All he could do was to tell the shopkeeper that it was for Richard the Pourer, for batter for wurst.

***

A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of his office and asked them to disperse. “But why?” they asked, as they moved away. “Because,” he said, “I can’t stand chess nuts boasting in an open foyer.”

Some Odd Book Titles and their Odd Authors

Downpour! By Wayne Dwops
Cloning by Ima Dubble
Handel’s Messiah by Ollie Luyah
Avoiding High Construction Costs by Bill Jerome Home
The Pain of Unemployment by Anita Job
The Tiger’s Revenge by Claude Butz
The French Chef by Sue Flay
Tight Situation by Leah Tard

More Groaners

There were two ships. One had red paint, one had blue paint. They collided. At last report, the survivors were marooned.

Question: How did Christopher Columbus finance his trip to America? Answer: With the Discover Card.

Office door of NASA executive: ‘Out to Launch.’

Recently a guy in Paris nearly got away with stealing several paintings from the Louvre. However, after planning the crime, getting in and out past security, he was captured only 2 blocks away when his lorry ran out of gas. When asked how he could mastermind such a crime and then make such an obvious error, he replied: I had no Monet to buy Degas to make the Van Gogh.

And One More for the Road

Scientists found a way to clone a bit of Shakespeare’s DNA and recreate The Great Bard. Naturally, ABC, NBC, CBS, and CNN were vying with each other to get him on their networks. When they approached Mr. S with their offers, how did he respond? TV or not TV, that is the question.

Wind, Prayers, and Amazing Eighth Graders

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Jennifer

It is wonderful how memories, locked in the body, surface during anniversaries. Last year, at just about this time, I experienced an adventure with my six-eighth grade students that I want to share. This piece first appeared in a school newsletter. Only minor changes have been made.

The winds didn’t just blow in our faces—they roared with a monstrous fury. The Eighth Graders and I had already been paddling along the San Juan River that day for about 12 miles when a wind storm tore through the canyon. With the sun setting far too quickly for comfort, and our arms aching, doubt spread through our minds as to whether or not we would make it to a place to stop for the night. If the kids stopped paddling for even a second the winds would blow us backwards against the current. Two-to-three foot white cap waves splashed at us as we struggled to move forward.

One of our guides decided to link the students raft with the two-thousand pound supply raft that he and I were on. Then he got up, took the rope at the front of the raft, and stepped into the river and began pulling us like an ox. I took over at the oars while the three boys got out of the raft and began pulling also, but the bottom of the river dropped out on them and they had to get back in and paddle again. The three girls paddled with adrenaline-laced power and kept everyone’s spirits from flagging. It was an amazing thing to experience—the Eighth Graders and our second guide paddling, never giving up, never stopping. They fought and they pushed and we kept going.

As the wind was smacking us with an absurd ferocity, I began to pray that it would stop. “Give these kids a break,” I ordered the Almighty. I wanted them safe on dry land; I wanted the wind storm to stop and for the setting sun to pause in its descent so we would have enough light to get to ashore and unpack. But the wind just kept blowing and I just got madder.

We finally made it however to a place where we could pull over for the night. We cheered as we saw the site. Little did we know the worst was yet to come.

It began to hail a few minutes after we got out of the rafts and, the winds, unbelievably, picked up strength. As we wrestled to put up our tents, the winds tore through the camp like a wild freight train. Somehow we managed to get the tents up using huge rocks to hold the spikes down.

As the students were working I took one of our guides aside and said, “So what are we really dealing with here?” “I don’t know,” he replied, “I’ve never been in such a severe storm. We don’t just have the wind to worry about. I’m concerned about flash flooding and about those rocks above us. If it rains in the night it might only be a matter of minutes before we have to scramble up the rocky cliff 30 feet to safety before a wall of water rushes through here. We can’t even get a helicopter in here to take us out; it would never make it in here with these winds. We’re just going to have to hold on and do our best. We’re in a dangerous situation.”

“Lovely,” I thought. This wasn’t what I signed us up for.

That night, the wind stampeded through the camp, like a herd of crazed ghost-horses. It would stop for a few seconds and the pressure would drop in your chest, but then you could hear the wind coming again–smashing its way along the canyon walls. One of the guides estimated the wind gusts at 30-50 mph. The sand on the bank was swirling in our eyes, ears, and mouths, but at least the hail had stopped.

That night I laid awake the whole night as the wind rattled my tent like a drunken gorilla. I prayed as the storm increased in intensity. I just wanted it to stop. I was scared for my students and for myself. I could hear a couple of the students crying in the night and I got even madder at God. I demanded the storm to stop. But it just kept raging. I was furious for my lack of faith. For if I had enough I could have calmed that storm, but I didn’t. In the end however, God worked that out for a good reason.

In the early morning the air was still and almost contemplative. The storm had finally whirled its way out and we were all safe and sound—sandy, exhausted, but safe.

Later that night, during our sharing circle, every one of the students said, to my surprise, that, while they were scared of the storm and that the paddling through it to get to camp was excruciatingly difficult, they were all glad they had gone through the experience. They all felt powerful, like they could accomplish anything. They had worked together in a very dangerous situation and made it through. As I listened to them I realized why my prayers were not answered. I realized (again) that I don’t always know what’s best. The experience I wanted to end became a life-changing, life-empowering experience for the Eighth Graders that they will never forget. Of course, my prayers weren’t wrong—they were the obvious ones to pray, and the storm did eventually stop, and everyone ended up OK. It just goes to show the Powers That Be have better plans than my own often emotion-tinged ones. This adventure had made them better friends, better people.

When we got back to base camp there were whispers among the staff about my class: “That’s the class that made it through the storm. Those are the kids who paddled 56 miles up the San Juan River in 3 days and made it through that wind storm.” One of the directors of the camp came up to me as we were leaving. “You have amazing students,” he said, “really amazing.”

“Thank you. I know,” I said, beaming with pride, “I know.”

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Monthly Archives: June 2011