Creative Spirit, Playful Discipline Marisa Raymond

Parenting is the world's hardest job. Sometimes, you need a little help.

In this episode, which I recorded after a particularly emotional interaction with my 13-year-old son, I share what I'm learning about how to show up for and empower a child when you've been triggered.

Ho'oponopono is a traditional Hawaiian ritual for forgiveness and healing. I learned it last year when I was working with a spiritual mentor on healing ancestral wounds. Wow! It was so powerful, that I have started talking about it with everyone! Even my children. All it takes is a few minutes and a few simple phrases.

Do you play every day? What does it look like?

I always talk about the Mrs Frizzle quote: take chances, make mistakes, get messy.

It's one of my mantras.

But, I'll be honest, I struggle with embracing my own mistakes. This is when my inner critic comes by and starts pounding on the door. 

Then, the other day, I heard a quote during a guided meditation and it was light a lightning bolt of realization. A new way to define mistakes. And, it's changing my perspective already!

Take a listen and let me know what you think.
How will you look at your mistakes differently now?

We all have an inner critic, negative self-talk that, oftentimes, gets louder when we least expect and require it.

This is a simple tool that was shared with me and has really helped me quiet that inner critic. By the way, naming your inner critic is also a great way to dissociate from her. Mine is named Marsha. I wrote more about her - and this exercise - here: https://marisaraymond.com/2016/03/14/sct-parenting-yourself/

When I started teaching yoga and mindfulness to children in schools here in France, I learned quite quickly that it really helped them to move to stay focused and calm. And, it turns out, it helps me a lot too.

In this short meditation, you will grow from a seed to a tall, strong, tree.

You can either lie down and imagine yourself growing or, if you want to move, start off on the ground and slowly rise up as you grow bigger and bigger.

Or watch the video version of this meditation (with movement included) over on my youtube channel: https://youtu.be/L8TYuLu3So8