In the middle of course selection, I am reminded of the incredibly busy lives of our students. Some aim to play three sports, participate in orchestra, and try to take all honors classes. Others work long hours to earn their spending money, watch their siblings to help their parents, and struggle to understand the class which challenges them most. Add the college process or unexpected life events, and the cup of life now overfills with responsibilities. No matter what your students' lives look like on a day to day basis, all students are struggling to find the balance. The middle and high school years are a time of self-discovery, life exploration, and deep friendship formation. So much is going on for this segment of our population, they are simultaneously attempting to grow up, while unknowingly cherishing the last moments of childhood. We can help our students, our children, our friends' children, our nieces, our nephews, by teaching them how to be still. Scientific study highlights the extensive positive benefits of meditation, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Show them what it looks like to self-reflect. Take a moment to breathe. Make them understand what a self-fulling prophecy is. The saying goes, Seeing is Believing. Reverse it. Believing is Seeing.
If you need some guidance, Oprah Winfrey and Deepak Chopra are starting a 21 day free meditation experience. The meditations are short. Registration can be found at https://chopracentermeditation.com/
