Earlier today…
9yo: Mom, whatcha thinking about?
Me: Oh… I don’t know. I could use some kid wisdom right about now.
9yo: Umm, ok. Squeeze your hands, make a first really tight. As tight as you can, like you’re squeezing a lemon and hold it for like five seconds… Now let go.
Now tense up your arms, like really hard, and hold it. One… two… three... four… Now let go.
Squeeze your toes tight. Hold it… Now wiggle them like you’re squirming in mud.
Tense your legs. Hold it… Now let go.
Me: That was good. Where did you learn that?
9yo: Circus camp. The juggler is also some kind of mindfulness teacher.
Me: Did you say “the juggler”?
9yo: Yeah! One of our camp instructors. He’s like, a professional juggler. It’s his job. Anyway, we’re not done yet.
Now tense up your stomach like a baby elephant is walking your way.
Me: A baby elephant?
9yo: Yeah. Like it’s going to step on you, so you have to tense up. It’s coming right for you! Tense up! Hold it… Now let go.
Now relax all your body and picture a large empty box in your head.
Fill it with tiny circles.
Now fill those circles with thoughts, things you can’t stop thinking or worrying about.
They’re bouncing all around in the box.
Now they start to pop. Watch them pop, one by one, until the box is clear.
Now take a breath.
If one of those thoughts comes back, remember: The body breathes. Your body is breathing… So just breathe.
That’s it!
A mindfulness class in less than five minutes.
Me: That was really wonderful. I’m so proud that you know that! Will you do it again? I want to write it down.
9yo: Sure! Squeeze your hands into fists like you’re squeezing a lemon…
I’m curious… as you read that, did you follow along? Do any of the exercises? I wouldn’t be surprised if you did. We (humans) are easily influenced by words.
Isn’t that amazing that I — typing on my keyboard in a completely different time and space than you are reading this — am able to create a change in you? Either a subtle change like a thought you didn’t have before, but sometimes even a physical action like squeezing your hands into a fist!
Words have the power to change what you think and do. Would you be willing to consider this next time you scroll social media or the news? That every word you encounter is creating a change in you? Even micro-changes add up over time. When choosing how to spend your time, which words to expose yourself to, you can decide: Is the change worth it? Does it serve me?
Thank you for reading my words today. Your attention is a gift. I am honored that you’d grant me the chance to create a change in you.
Love,
Kate
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A few notes:
I’m taking next week off. Look for me again the first week of August.
If you’re a subscriber and read these via email, I’m sorry if the headers or footers have been weird or contain duplicate information. I’m learning how to better use Substack to say different things to different audiences (e.g. not ask my paid subscribers to become paid subscribers.) If something looks wrong, could you let me know? Thanks!
This is great