After I returned from my trip to Anaheim, I wanted to keep the good vibes going and bring some of the lessons I had developed for my teen workshop home to my favorite teen, G.
One of the elements of my workshop involved positive affirmations. Positive affirmations are statements that can remind you of your self-worth and capabilities. They generally are first-person, present tense statements that are meant to be repeated daily. It is thought that the more you repeat these positive affirmations, the more you will internalize them and start to believe them. Positive affirmations are not a magic genie that will suddenly make you smarter, prettier, or more successful, but our minds our powerful tools that can effect the way we approach challenges and opportunities in our life, whether we step up, back down, or choose to shut them out altogether. Positive affirmations are a way to counterbalance the negativity and judgement that can permeate our mind. Here is an idea sheet I made for the teens:
When I was teenager, I loved gathering inspirational quotes (yes, technically the correct word is quotations, but it sounds awkward to me). I grew up with my sister reading me quotes and poems that she collected. I always enjoyed them, and year after year, I discovered even more wisdom in them, as my maturity and ability to comprehend them grew. (It's funny to think about how I interpreted certain concepts as a grade schooler!) Though a lot of quotes can be trite and overused, sometimes the right words at the right time can help you better understand your own thoughts and emotions, or they can give you new ways to think about the world.
In my workshop I had the kids create and draw three positive statements (whether affirmations or quotes), one for themselves and two to give out to others, as a way to think beyond themselves and build community. I think it's important throughout our lives to practice empathy and compassion, understanding that everyone has challenges and insecurities and that we are connected as humans by a need to be recognized, valued, and included. We can do this in big ways, like forming meaningful relationships, or by hosting events to serve the community (like my friend Peter does with his organization, Mama G's Thanksgiving Street Dinner). And we can do it in small ways, like saying thank you to our waiter, or smiling to someone new at school.
It's much easier to take on the small stuff when you've only got a couple hours. I gathered up some construction paper, crayons, and markers, and invited G to create some positive affirmations and quotes with me. We tied each one to a flower, 19 in all, and passed them out along San Mateo Ave. in San Bruno. We handed them out to people on the street, as well as workers and patrons of local businesses. Most people were happily surprised and thanked us, while others were skeptical and asked us "how much?". We assured them it was free, no strings attached, and that we were just trying to spread some positivity around the neighborhood. G saved one for her neighbor, who she knows loves flowers, which I thought was really sweet. She also made a special one for the baristas at Starbucks because we spend so much time there.
We were in a hurry and I had to drop her off quickly without having a chance to debrief or talk about how the experience was for her. When I saw her the next week, I asked her what was memorable about it to her. She mentioned a particular man, perhaps homeless, who seemed genuinely appreciative to get a flower. Her response surprised me because that would have been my exact same answer, even though it was a brief interaction, and at the time we said nothing of it. I remember him because I was hesitant to approach at first. We didn't approach many men in general because of safety considerations, and because I wasn't sure if men really like flowers anyways. But something about him sitting on the ground, looking so down and out, I just decided to give him a flower and a smile. His face lit up for a second, he looked me in the eyes, and softly said "thank you very much". And I could tell he meant it. That moment brought this lesson in empathy and connection home more than I could have anticipated or hoped for. That man taught us how powerful it is to just simply be seen, and how it takes so little to establish a moment of human connection.
Another positive reward of this project: I posted a picture on Instagram with a brief explanation of what G and I did, and I was really surprised when my friend from high school, Kimmie, reached out to me to get more details and ask for the affirmations we used so that she could do this in Portland too. Kimmie runs a lash bar, Miss Knockout, and does absolutely stunning work. I am so inspired by her commitment to promoting both inner and outer beauty through her business. Way to go, Kimmie!
One of the elements of my workshop involved positive affirmations. Positive affirmations are statements that can remind you of your self-worth and capabilities. They generally are first-person, present tense statements that are meant to be repeated daily. It is thought that the more you repeat these positive affirmations, the more you will internalize them and start to believe them. Positive affirmations are not a magic genie that will suddenly make you smarter, prettier, or more successful, but our minds our powerful tools that can effect the way we approach challenges and opportunities in our life, whether we step up, back down, or choose to shut them out altogether. Positive affirmations are a way to counterbalance the negativity and judgement that can permeate our mind. Here is an idea sheet I made for the teens:
When I was teenager, I loved gathering inspirational quotes (yes, technically the correct word is quotations, but it sounds awkward to me). I grew up with my sister reading me quotes and poems that she collected. I always enjoyed them, and year after year, I discovered even more wisdom in them, as my maturity and ability to comprehend them grew. (It's funny to think about how I interpreted certain concepts as a grade schooler!) Though a lot of quotes can be trite and overused, sometimes the right words at the right time can help you better understand your own thoughts and emotions, or they can give you new ways to think about the world.
In my workshop I had the kids create and draw three positive statements (whether affirmations or quotes), one for themselves and two to give out to others, as a way to think beyond themselves and build community. I think it's important throughout our lives to practice empathy and compassion, understanding that everyone has challenges and insecurities and that we are connected as humans by a need to be recognized, valued, and included. We can do this in big ways, like forming meaningful relationships, or by hosting events to serve the community (like my friend Peter does with his organization, Mama G's Thanksgiving Street Dinner). And we can do it in small ways, like saying thank you to our waiter, or smiling to someone new at school.
It's much easier to take on the small stuff when you've only got a couple hours. I gathered up some construction paper, crayons, and markers, and invited G to create some positive affirmations and quotes with me. We tied each one to a flower, 19 in all, and passed them out along San Mateo Ave. in San Bruno. We handed them out to people on the street, as well as workers and patrons of local businesses. Most people were happily surprised and thanked us, while others were skeptical and asked us "how much?". We assured them it was free, no strings attached, and that we were just trying to spread some positivity around the neighborhood. G saved one for her neighbor, who she knows loves flowers, which I thought was really sweet. She also made a special one for the baristas at Starbucks because we spend so much time there.
We were in a hurry and I had to drop her off quickly without having a chance to debrief or talk about how the experience was for her. When I saw her the next week, I asked her what was memorable about it to her. She mentioned a particular man, perhaps homeless, who seemed genuinely appreciative to get a flower. Her response surprised me because that would have been my exact same answer, even though it was a brief interaction, and at the time we said nothing of it. I remember him because I was hesitant to approach at first. We didn't approach many men in general because of safety considerations, and because I wasn't sure if men really like flowers anyways. But something about him sitting on the ground, looking so down and out, I just decided to give him a flower and a smile. His face lit up for a second, he looked me in the eyes, and softly said "thank you very much". And I could tell he meant it. That moment brought this lesson in empathy and connection home more than I could have anticipated or hoped for. That man taught us how powerful it is to just simply be seen, and how it takes so little to establish a moment of human connection.
Another positive reward of this project: I posted a picture on Instagram with a brief explanation of what G and I did, and I was really surprised when my friend from high school, Kimmie, reached out to me to get more details and ask for the affirmations we used so that she could do this in Portland too. Kimmie runs a lash bar, Miss Knockout, and does absolutely stunning work. I am so inspired by her commitment to promoting both inner and outer beauty through her business. Way to go, Kimmie!
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