Boredom – Where Magic Is Possible
By: Dr. Helen Lee

As a parent one phrase that I dislike hearing from kids is, “I’m bored!”. The first things that come to my mind are, “how in the world can you be bored? You have so many books to read. You can go outside and play. You can write in your journal. You can paint. You can just sit, breathe and meditate!” 

However, as I stop and reflect on our lives, the amount of stimulation there is on a moment to moment basis is undeniable. We have phones, computers, devices of all kinds, social media, the internet, youtube, you name it. The culture around us has made it very easy to stimulate our minds incessantly. On top of this, we have dove into the depths of non-stop rapid firing of images and thoughts with video shorts, meme’s, Tiktok, etc which trains our attention span to be fleeting at best. 

As the saying goes: when you point one finger there are 3 fingers pointed back at oneself. My dislike of hearing “I’m bored” is also a reflection back to me in how I distract myself throughout the day. When I get “bored” I pick up my phone to check emails, messages, start “googling”, and yes, playing Candy Crush! 

What if boredom can be the magic opening to experiencing this present moment. It can be magical because in this moment mind, body, & energy has an opportunity to just BE. It does not have to be mindlessly directed or taken on a ride of stimulation. As we allow ourselves to sit in this moment of boredom, we can breathe and choose into infinite possibilities of the next moment. If we can wait INTO the boredom we can find the stillness that has been undyingly waiting for us. 

How can we open wide to boredom this summer? 

1. REFRAME for ourselves and with our children: Decide that BOREDOM will be a magical opportunity to let go of outer stimulation. Make it a game with your children to seek out times to be bored. Make it fun! Point out the boredom and then…
2. Take 3 DEEP BELLY BREATHS. As you inhale, breathe IN the moment, inhale the boredom. Then exhale anything you no longer want to experience. Then PAUSE.
3. From this place of calm, open to asking yourself or your children, “can we stay in this stillness for another few breaths? Or let’s just connect with “Tell me…prompts”
4. “Tell me…” prompts are a great way to ask questions and get to know or connect with each other. For example, “Tell me….something funny that happened to you this week, something you were surprised by, something that makes you happy, sad, anxious, grateful for, something you want me to know, etc.” Take turns asking different questions.
5.  Have Fun & connect! Whether it’s for 5 minutes or 1 hr!

BONUS: Make a BOREDOM Box or Corner: Collect paper, coloring pages, journal, color pencils, books, origami paper, etc. so it’s ready to go for your next BOREDOM moment. Here’s to a summer chock-full of boredom!

Hello, Spring!
Gratitude Mindset Activities 
By, Dr. Helen Lee

As I feel the emergence of Spring, I am aware of the built-up sedentary energy of the winter months starting to quake. It’s this built-up energy that now has more momentum and is preparing to burst nature into full bloom, bring vibrant colors back into plain sight, and that will also ignite the human spirit. 

For our children, spring is a wonderful time to play, grow, and pause before settling into the ripening energy of summer. This can be a perfect time for us and our children to nurture our minds in a way that cultivates resilience, empowerment, and the growth mentality. Intentional practice of gratitude can be one way to exercise this positive way of thinking and being. 

Gratitude is widely recognized as a powerful feeling which can positively affect our mental, emotional and physical well being. When deliberately practiced, this feeling of gratitude can evolve into a powerful instrument that can ignite self confidence, compassion, optimism and resilience. Although the feeling of gratitude is a spontaneous and natural response, it can also be intentionally practiced over time to become an inherent aspect of one’s positive mindset.

It’s never too early to cultivate a gratitude mindset. Children have a phenomenal advantage of adapting and growing what they focus on now. Here are some fun games to play together during car rides, at home, on weekends, or before bed. Practicing together will not only help them but also you! 

1. The A, B, C’s Gratitude : First person names something they are grateful for that starts with an “A”, second person names a “B” gratitude, and so on.

2. Gratitude Walk Contest: While taking a walk, the game is to take turns thinking of things each is truly grateful for but no one can repeat gratitudes. If one cannot think of a gratitude, a person can steal the point by naming one. Most point wins at the end of the walk.

3. Tell me 3 Things that ….”: you are grateful for; made you happy; you are most proud of; or 3 ways you were helpful; and so on.

4. Gratitude Thank you Card Craft: Gather any crayons, paint, pencils, paper, etc and make a Thank you card for someone you are grateful for.

5. Gratitude Box: Decorate an empty tissue box. Write a gratitude on a small piece of paper and add it to the Gratitude Box daily. On days that you may be blue or just need an extra smile, read some of the gratitudes you have already collected. 

The key is make it fun and a part of your daily dialogue. Happy Spring!