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Children on smartphone

Smartphone-Free Childhood in Canada: Take action now!

Welcome to the Smartphone-Free Childhood Movement in Canada Hi everyone, Bonjour! Join the Pledge! Delay the use of smartphones for your child until 14 years old (without social media) by signing the pledge on Unplugged Canada. This is urgent—we need to act now to save our children’s childhood. I know many of you are passionate about this topic, so let’s come together to make a difference. Let’s start a conversation and a movement around one simple idea: Smartphone-Free Childhood. If people in the UK can do it, we can do it here in Canada too—En Français aussi! Here is an article about what is happening in the UK. If you’re a parent or an educator and you care about this issue, please join the WhatsApp group (Canada only). If you have time...

ChatGPT tells me to breathe

ChatGPT’s Mindful Surprise!

Yesterday, I tried to get some help from ChatGPT, but it wasn’t working. The page wouldn’t load or react at all. I was using Safari, so I decided to switch to Chrome to see if I’d have better luck. And then ChatGPT greeted me with this message: "ChatGPT is at capacity right now As you read this message, please take a moment to pause and breathe. Notice the sensations in your body and the rythm of your breath...

Good luck, bad luck, who knows? Chinese proverb

Here is another share of a proverb I love, a Chinese proverb called "Good luck, bad luck, who knows"! This Chinese proverb encourages a mindset of non-judgmental awareness and acceptance of life's ever-changing circumstances. By embracing the inherent uncertainty of outcomes, we cultivate a sense of equanimity and resilience in the face of adversity or fortune. Rather than labeling events as inherently "good" or "bad," mindfulness invites us to approach each experience with curiosity and openness, recognizing that the true nature of a situation may reveal itself over time. In essence, this proverb invites us to release our attachment to rigid judgments and instead cultivate a mindset of compassionate acceptance, allowing for greater peace and harmony in our lives.   Good luck, bad luck, who knows ~ Chinese...

The Guest House, Poem by Rumi

"The Guest House" is a profound and thought-provoking poem by the renowned Persian poet, Rumi. He compares the human experience to a guest house, where each day brings new emotions and experiences akin to different visitors arriving at the house. He urges readers to welcome these visitors—be they joy, sorrow, or pain—with open arms, viewing them as opportunities for growth and transformation. Through its evocative imagery and timeless wisdom, "The Guest House" invites readers to embrace the full spectrum of human emotions and to find meaning and beauty in every moment of life's journey.   The Guest House This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd...

The Power of Saying “Hi”: Building Connections with Kids and Adults

Have you ever noticed the absence of a simple "hi" in emails or text messages? Maybe you've caught yourself skipping it a few times. It might seem like a small thing, but it can have a big impact on how we connect with others, especially our kids, but also ourselves adults. Recently, as I delve deeper into the world of parenting, I stumbled upon the concept of "collection." It's about taking a moment during transitions with our kids—like when they come home from school or switch activities (tv to dinner...

Autobiography in 5 Chapters, by Portia Nelson

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In the curriculum that I teach to teens and adults, I use several quotes and poems. Here is one of those poems that I love. I used it last night during a workshop I gave to a group of teens and a few adults, we had a good laugh at ourselves! Video version at the bottom, Enjoy! This poem shows how we, as humans, are so slow at learning from our mistakes! Here it is: Autobiography in 5 Chapters by Portia Nelson Chapter 1 I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost. I am helpless. It isn't my fault. It takes forever to find a way out. Chapter 2 I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I still don't see it....

Mindfulness and Kindness quotes

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Hello, I'd thought I'd share my favorite quotes that I find related to mindfulness, kindness and anything in between, and would add to it as I go since I always discover some new inspiring quotes! Enjoy![/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][mkdf_blockquote text="``Prepare your child for the path, instead of the path for your child”, Tim Elmore" width="90"][vc_empty_space][mkdf_blockquote text="Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” ~ Viktor Frankl from Man's Search for Meaning" width="90"][vc_empty_space][mkdf_blockquote text="“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” ~ Plato" width="90"][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row]...