Free Sample Chapter 1-4 of In the Cleft

About Me

My photo
Speaker, author and grief counsellor Dana Goodman lives in Kamloops British Columbia. Dana has a passion for helping people navigate through their grief journeys. Her memoir, In the Cleft Joy Comes in the Mourning, written four years after the deaths of her husband, son and mother-in-law to cancer, recently won top novel at the Wildsound Writing Festival in January. Dana's heart's desire is that In the Cleft will help her readers embrace their own profound losses and find hope in the midst of their pain. Renewal, meaning and purpose can be unearthed even after unthinkable tragedy. Dana loves being outside with her family and especially loves mountain biking, running and listening to worship music. She feels content in her everyday life if she has read an inspiring story, connected with her husband, son and friends and spent time in the outdoors with her dog.

Friday, February 20, 2015

Teaching Children to Find Beauty in the Ordinary


By Dana Goodman

How to teach children to be mindful

In order for children to live happier lives, we must teach them the value of being mindful. On adventures to the grocery store, have them share what they hear, smell, feel and taste. Rather than rushing through the shopping experience, slow down and ask them questions to open up their senses to the world around them.
When you are giving them a snack, have them smell it, feel it and taste it. Allow them to chew slowly and share their experience. On outings, slow down. Perhaps take a camera with you and have them take photos of what they think is beautiful and allow them to make their own scrapbook of beauty. Take an easel and a picnic and allow them to paint what they see.
Their beautiful minds are growing so fast and in order for them to develop as they should, they need to soak in the wonders around them.
As adults, we often forget to be mindful and rush to get it all done. But when we breathe, notice, and enjoy simple things, we can model a life skill that is fundamental for their emotional health.
Keep a gratitude journal and have your children keep one as well. As an example, here is one of my own "enjoy simple things" entries:
1. Sun reflecting off water
2. Children's paintings
3. duvet covers
4. Vases filled with flowers
5. Ducks on ponds
6. Sunshine after rain
7. Bees searching for nectar
8. The smell of lilacs
9. Tufts of golden grass blowing in the wind
10. Sweating after a hard workout
11. Waffle ice cream cones
12. Kids with bed-head
13. Hot tea warming my hands on the cup
14. Flowing mountain bike trails
15. Rocks on the bottom of clear ponds
16. BBQ smells in summer
17. Sound of rain through open windows
18. Warm summer nights
Encourage your children to draw or write about special things they notice in their day and then invite them to share their discoveries with you before going to bed. They love it when you also share yours. Connect with your children every opportunity that you can and enjoy life discovering beauty.
Author of In the Cleft: Joy Comes in the Mourning now available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble
Author of In the Cleft: Joy Comes in the Mourning now available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble
Source: Photo by Dana Goodman
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)