Mindful Minis: Remote Learning Themes: Adapting to change, Overcoming difficulty
1.- “It doesn’t matter that you are not here in person, as long as you are in my heart.” -The Little Prince While we all wish we could be together in our school building right now, it is important to remember that we are all connected. We are connected to our school work through our computers but more importantly we are connected to each other through the love and care we have for one another. Just because we can not reach out to one another with a high five or a hug, we can reach out with our hearts and our words and we can touch all the invisible places that remind us how much we are loved and supported.
2.- “When I was a boy and I would see scary things on the news, my mother would say to me, “look for the helpers, you will always find people who are helping.” -Mr. Rogers
Although sometimes things can feel scary and unknown, it is important to put our attention on all of the positive things that shine light in the darkness. Did you know that right now there are thousands of people coming together to help one another? People are showing extra kindness, compassion, and love in this time of change….if you look for it, you will always find the helpers, the heroes. In fact, you may be one yourself!
3- “I believe every single opportunity in life presents itself as a way to choose love over fear” -Oprah Winfrey We all have an opportunity to find ways to love deeper and support one another like never before. Instead of choosing to be fearful of all the new things like learning from home, taking space from your friends, and not attending activities, *choose* instead to find ways to help out your family members, to reach out to your friends and teachers with kind words, to love in all the ways you know how. In the fight against fear and love, love wins everytime.
4-“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves” Sometimes there are things we cannot change. For instance, right now we are unable to all meet in our school building. Even though we cannot change this fact, we can use this as an opportunity to make ourselves better. We can become better at managing our time, better at helping one another out, better at communicating, and better at handling change. Sometimes it is change that helps us most to grow.
5-“The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” -Alan Watts This sort of change we are experiencing by learning from home invites us to accept the gifts that come along with it! Even though things are not the way we all expected they would be right now, there are hidden silver linings: spending more time with family, learning in your pajamas, having flexibility in your day and maybe even a slightly longer recess in your backyard! Move with the change and don’t fight against it….there are gifts hidden all around, you just have to find them.
6-“Great things never came from comfort zones”
We are used to doing the same things each day--they feel safe and comfortable. Now that we are all stepping into the unknown with a whole new way of learning, there is such a great chance for growth and to become a better student than before. Doing things we’ve always done is easy, doing things we’ve never done before takes courage and a willingness to be an even better and more flexible version of yourself. Keep going, you’re doing great!
7.-”Change: it can be risky, it can be difficult. It can also be beautiful and it will always show you more of yourself.” A lot of emotions come up when we experience change. Sometimes it feels new and exciting and other times change can feel scary and unknown. It is okay to feel any and all emotions, in fact it is important to allow yourself to feel whatever comes up. Once you have allowed yourself to feel, gently guide your thoughts towards all the beautiful gifts that the new situation gives you. Practice gratitude for the safe home you live and learn in, for the teachers who continue to find ways to keep learning fun and interesting even when we are not physically together, and for the quality time you have been given to spend with your family. Yes, change can be difficult but it can also be beautiful.
8.- “Let us not be surprised when we have to face difficulties. When the wind blows hard on a tree, the roots stretch and grow stronger. Let it be so with us.” Change is the natural way of things. When things feel different or difficult, remember that we are being given the chance to grow stronger. When the wind hits the trees it forces the tree’s roots to stretch and grow just as, when Cresskill students are asked to learn in a whole new way from home, it makes them stretch and grow. Be proud of how much you are accomplishing in this situation that nobody ever before you has experienced. Take a moment today to be grateful for yourself and for your resilience and perseverance.
9.-“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” We get to decide where our thoughts go and what we choose to believe in. Instead of focusing on “what could have been” let’s redirect our thoughts to what “could be.” It is our chance to create a new future, brighter than ever. Let’s choose to focus on the positives instead of the negatives.
10.-“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude toward it” -Maya Angelou Now, more than ever, it is important to check in with your thoughts and feelings. There are some things that we cannot change, but we ALWAYS have control of our thoughts and our attitude. Start today by checking in with yourself--pay close attention to the things you are thinking and the way you are feeling. Remember to be kind to yourself and to encourage yourself to look for the good things all around you. Practicing gratitude is the fastest way to get your mind back on track, to change your attitude and to make your days meaningful.