BreathWorks With Joy

“Neighbors are people who care about and help each other. Sometimes they live in the same real neighborhood. But they can also be “neighbors” even if they live far away. They might live in a different country, where people talk differently or wear different clothes or eat different foods, but they can still be our “neighbors.” They can still be people we care about, just because they’re human beings. Every person in this world started out as a baby needing food and diapers and a place to sleep and most of all – love. In fact, every person started out just like you. As different as we are from one another, as unique as each one of us is, we are much more the same than we are different.” – Fred Rogers (1928 -2003)

On Monday, it was mine and Dewa’s turn to host our ‘Little Sprouts’ homeschool Co-Op. Being the third Monday of January, it was (as you know) Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. A National Holiday in honor of his brave Spirit and peaceful movement for Equal Rights, among many  of his accomplishments. So, off i went to the library to find age appropriate material. Admittedly, i always get a bit nervous when it’s my turn to inspire the love of learning with these bright Souls. It becomes quite evident quickly whether they are interested or not and then it’s like a stand-up comedian left high and dry center stage… what then? 🙂 Yet with the assistance of our ever helpful local children’s librarian, our morning’s topic begin to unfold.

It’s okay to be different!

Peace is being who you are!

What does it mean to be a “neighbor?”

How can we speak and work together  in a peaceful way?

What does equality mean?

Pretty heady stuff even for a grown-up, yet these chi-ldren loved it! They were curious and engaged. They wanted to know more about Dr. King, Jr. They wanted to know! Through examples they could relate to we talked about what it all kinda meant. Opportunities for peaceful dialogue (aka: *non-violent communication) between them arose as they had to work together to create the opening picture, CHILDREN OF THE WORLD puzzle, as well as during ‘free play’ where all four wanted to play the cashier.

Here the ‘Little Sprouts’ create their own neighborhoods.

How creative and imaginative they ALL are.

I have a dream… may all children be free from suffering, may all children be happy!

OM MANI PADME HUNG

* non-violent communication: TalkFeeleez

Here’s the formula:

I feel _______________ when you do ______________.

I need ____________.

Would you be willing to ________________.

(Feeling, need, request.)