Do You Play with Your Kids?
Written by Jerry on November 6, 2009 – 5:30 am -
Play with Your Kids – It’s Fun
By Winsome Coutts
In these busy times, when parents and children have schedules packed to the max, family closeness can fall by the wayside. Most of us have to make an effort to guarantee that work, school, sports, and chores don’t swallow up the very relationships that make those things important.
When is the last time you played or goofed around with your child? Can you remember back that far? Many parents can’t. Life has made us so serious, so focused, that we’ve lost the joy of the simple things, and play was one of the first to go.
But as any child instinctively knows, play is essential to life. It brightens the heart and lightens the spirit. For kids, who live closer than we do to nature, play is as spontaneous as breathing. Sadly, most grown-ups have lost that skill. Our children can be our refresher course.
Playing with your child brings you back to the present, reminds you of what matters, and slows you down long enough to smell the roses. It also connects you emotionally with your child, rebuilding the closeness that the fast-paced, boring routines of life are all too quick to strip away.
Playing together is even more important for your child than it is for you, because she needs to feel close to you to feel loved and happy. If you’ve neglected time together for long enough, it may appear that your child isn’t interested in your attentions. She may even tell you as much. But that’s just bluster, hiding the fear that you will disappoint her again if she lets herself wish for time alone with you. If you initiate playing together, and do it at frequent intervals, even the most aloof pre-teen will start to look forward to it and, in time, throw herself into the fun. Read more »
Tags: Attentions, Bluster, Busy Times, Chores, Coutts, Family Closeness, Fear, Frequent Intervals, Grown Ups, Last Time, Max Family, Parents And Children, Pre Teen, Refresher Course, Relationships, Roses, Rsquo, School Sports, Ups, Wayside
Posted in Kids Korner | No Comments »
12 Ways To Invite Spirituality Into Your Life
Written by Jerry on August 1, 2009 – 12:18 am -Here’s a quick list of ways to invite spirituality into your daily life. You don’t have to try them all. Choose the ones resonate with you and give them a try!
Be Honest. Be honest with others and especially with yourself. Dishonesty creates barriers between yourself and those you are dishonest with – including yourself.
See Humor. Life isn’t a serious disease. You’ll feel better about your life when you learn to see the funny things you do and the absurdities in the world. Chronic seriousness can make the joy flee from your life.
Meditate Daily. You’ve heard me say it before, right. In our modern world, you simply CANNOT connect with your inner spirit unless practice meditation regularly. The world moves waaaay to fast. Give your mind a break.
Keep a Journal. Socrates said “An unexamined life is not worth living.” Jim Rohn said "A Life Worth Living is a Life Worth Recording!" If you keep a daily journal you can see where you have been and get ideas for getting where you want to be. And a journal is the most wonderful gift you can leave behind for family and friends.
Give. All spiritual traditions talk about the importance of service. It doesn’t have to be money. You can give time, love recognition or help, just to name a few. Giving is one of the best ways to feel gratful for what you have. Not only will you trully connect with the receiver but, you know that you have plenty if you can give some away.
Don’t Ignore Negativey. Negative feelings can be useful. They can signal you that you aren’t living in harmony with your values. Don’t dwell on negative thoughts. But do examine them, without attaching blame, to learn from them.
Learn From Relationships. You might be surprised that relationships are the best mirror you can find to see what you are really like deep inside. Relationships can bring out the best and worst in you. Learn the hidden lessons from the bad. Cherish and share the beautiful moments. They can be so much more dymanic when shared.
Seek Help. Look for mentors. They don’t have to be teachers by profession. Others can help you learn to meditate, teach you yoga, hold you accountable for your actions, teach you to love, teach you other spiritual tradition…..
Discover Your Purpose. We all have one! Examine your own life history, spend time in silence listening to intutuion telling you what ’s important to you and learn to read life’s little hints along the way. If there was only one thing you could do for yourself this year, finding your purpose should be it.
Guard Your Mind. Your mind and spirit are preciuos gems. Be very careful of the friends you surround yourself with. Be just as careful about the influences you let into your mind. What influences? Newspapers, magazines, radio, movies, music, gossip…
Seek Inspiration. At the same you are guarding your mind you’ll want to fill it with as many inspiring things as possible. Once again, what things? Flowers, scents, good music, a hot bath, great books, uplifting friends…
Create Sacred Space. Everyone needs a sacred space. Mine is corner shelf unit that I have turned into a personal altar with candles, inscence, a statue and pictures of people important to me. Your might be a small flower garden or a bench under the shade of a tree. Any place that makes you feel relaxed and in touch with yourself is fine.
Now, you have a dozen ways to invite spirituality into your life. Use them. And, I forgot, there’s one more –
Never Stop Exploring Life!
Jerry L Saunders, RM
Tags: Absurdities, Abundance, Dishonesty, Family And Friends, Funny Things, grattitude, Harmony, honesty, humor, Inner Spirit, Jim Rohn, journals, Living In Harmony, Love, Meditation, Mirror, Money, Nbsp, Negative Feelings, Negative Thoughts, Practice Meditation, Relationships, sacred space, Seriousness, Socrates, Spiritual Traditions, spirituality, Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living, Wisdom
Posted in Everyday Spirituality | No Comments »
I Remain Calm in Times of Change
Written by Jerry on July 14, 2009 – 2:05 am -
I remain calm in times of change because I know that change is the doorway through which I attain growth. I keep myself open to change so I can recognize opportunities and take advantage of them.
I am confident in my ability to handle change because I understand that I do not have to absorb everything at once. Change involves a learning curve. I expect that it may take me some time to adjust, and that’s okay.
I don’t stress myself out by expecting to handle everything all at once. Instead, I focus on the piece of the task that is in front of me, knowing that I will become familiar with all I need to know.
If I make mistakes while adjusting to change, I am patient with myself. I am unafraid of mistakes because I see them as a sign that I am stretching and growing.
Learning from my mistakes makes me a better person.
I know that putting myself into situations outside my comfort zone increases my creativity and exposes me to new thoughts, relationships, and opportunities.
I do not fear change because I know that it is in my own best interest. I can remain calm in the face of change and look forward to the opportunities within.
Self-Reflection Questions:
1. Am I resisting a change because of my fear of making mistakes?
2. What opportunity have I received because I was willing to be open to change?
3. How have I grown recently because of a mistake?
Never Stop Exploring Life!
Jerry L Saunders, RM
Tags: Better Person, Comfort Zone, Creativity, Doorway, Fear, Focus, Jerry L, Learning Curve, Mistake, New Thoughts, Opportunity, Reflection Questions, Relationships, Saunders, Self Reflection, Stress, Stretching
Posted in Inspiration and Music | No Comments »
Stop Trying To be Happy
Written by Jerry on April 2, 2009 – 5:26 pm -What do you think will make you happy? Things like: Love, success, money, relationships, fame, power, a nice home or a million other things will NOT make you happy. Have you ever thought about being happy just because you want to be happy and for no other reason?
Stop Trying to Be Happy
Never Stop Exploring Life!
Jerry L Saunders, Renegade Monk
Tags: Affirmations, Emotions, Fame, Happy Things, Jerry L, Love, Money, Monk, Reason, Relationships, Renegade, Saunders
Posted in Everyday Spirituality | No Comments »
Monk Moments 5 Relationship Accounts
Written by Jerry on February 5, 2009 – 3:01 pm -
This week I’m going to talk about something that may sound a little crazy.
I want you to think about your relationships just like you would think about your bank accounts and finances!
I think it will make a lot of sense and you’ll like it!
Never Stop Exploring Life!
Jerry L Saunders
the Renegade Monk
Tags: Bank Accounts, Finances, Jerry L, Monk, Relationship Accounts, Relationships, Renegade, Saunders
Posted in Monk Moments Podcasts | No Comments »