It's not about finding peace or looking for peace. It's about connecting with peace. You can't strive, work hard, or study hard to find peace. Peace is a place of letting go and then the connection happens. How do children who are taught the opposite learn to let go? We let go of tension in the body through movement and exercises that move energy. We let go of thought through meditation. We let go of control by focusing on positive energy filled with gratitude. Why peace? Because peace is where your life soars.
Connecting with peace puts children in harmony with life. When children connect with peace, they live a life of joy, because that is what they attract. They are able to go to that place of peace inside, no matter what is happening on the outside, and ultimately, peace is where the power lies. They are in control when they are at peace. External influences don't bother them. When children connect with peace, they are able to listen to their own inner voice and intuition. Intuition guides the children to do what is best for them, which brings them to a vibration of peace. This vibration of peace attracts more good things and takes the child round and round in a circle of joy.
With the busy, hectic lifestyle that parents lead today, how do we find time to connect to peace? For me, it's important to keep it simple but consistent. Even if you are only able to meditate five minutes per day, doing it every day is better than striving to make it a practice that is unachievable and then dropping it. One way to do this is to find places in the day where you can insert mindfulness in the day. Start off the day, play a happy tune. Put some music on in the morning that has a positive message maybe Pharrell's "Happy." My mother woke us up every morning singing, "Oh what a beautiful morning, a what a beautiful day." I still wake sing that song while I wake up in the morning. On the way to school, take time to notice the smell of the spring air, a beautiful bird chirping and how warm the sunlight feels or how soft the rain falls. Taking time to notice these things in life teaches children to live in the moment. It's easy to add gratitude to every day things by saying, "How lucky we are to have this bird singing on our wall on the way to school." Mindful eating is a great way to practice awareness. Children love to chop. Put them in charge of something to do with the meal. This connects them with the process. Make mealtimes tech-free and say one thing you're grateful for in your day. If you want to get an A+, close your eyes and take a moment before the meal and be grateful.
Before bedtime, tell your children how grateful you are for them and how much you love them. Play some gentle music or a meditation that helps your child relax into their body and sleep restfully. If you want to get an A+, this is a great time to lie down with them and listen to the meditation together. This shows children that you are in this together. Bedtime becomes relaxing and enjoyable. These are just a few ways where you can incorporate in your day. You'll be surprised what a difference this makes in everyone's lives. A little goes a long way in a mindful practice to bring peace in the home.