Keeping up with it all!

It seems to me that everyone is becoming more and more stressed! I participated in a retreat this week, with 17 amazing women attending; almost the entire group confessed to arriving with a great deal of stress in their body/mind.

So I began thinking about the collective "stress" factor and how that must affect children. I do not remember being stressed about anything in particular, except of course exams, when I was a child. Todays kids have to deal with a multitude of stresses that seemed almost unimaginable in my youth. We think we are more connected, but in fact we are becoming more isolated.

I am developing a program for early childhood educators that will integrate environment and well-being. I have long believed that the inclusion of an ecological literacy into early childhood education is the stepping stone to wellness. Understanding our interconnection to this beautiful world can be an inspiration to self-actualize; gratitude and appreciation of music, art, story and poetry can so enhance a child's perception of life.

I heard once about a village in Africa where the villagers would gather to sing a newborn child his or her "song". If, during the child's life, he or she would lose their way, find themselves in difficulty or facing a great challenge, the relatives and neighbours would reconvene to sing his or her song to bring balance back into their life.

Just as each of us has a story, I think each of us has a song, and that song helps us to resonate with all of life if we can just uncover it! Music and song can bring joy and peace into our being, help us to de-stress from the daily grind!

I'm off to sing my song......actually the one that I just recorded....."No sugar, no fries!" Stay tuned and you will hear it soon!

Reflections on songs

Creativity is a mystery; anyone who has ever sat down to write, paint, draw, play music or actively attempt to "create" something knows that when that creative juice begins to flow, it is a miraculous event! I

There is a definitely a "zone", a place that humans find themselves in, which facilitates the ability to be creative, to create something. How we reach that zone is the mystery. But I do know one thing, if we do not allow children the time to explore their own creativity, we are robbing them, and essentially all of us, of tremendous possibilities. For it is within the realm of this mystery that the essence of our "being-ness" can evolve.

When we engage in what we are naturally suited to do, our work takes on the quality of play and it is play that stimulates creativity.” – Linda Naiman

As a songwriter, I know well that place of ecstatic joy when the words and music flow together, when the harmonies lift the soul in celebration and one soars into a place that is vibrant and blissfully alive. I also know the frustration of a song that just cannot find its cadence, its rhythm and rhyme! But I have learned that when this happens, I must surrender to the possibilities and allow them to gently, or abruptly, tweak my inner compass......and if I am really lucky, the piece of the puzzle that has eluded me, will miraculously fall into place.....and if not....to just let it go.

New to this!

Well, I am new to this part of the networking, so please bear with me as I get going!

I am passionate about teaching kids how we are all interconnected. For the past twenty years I have toured Canada and the United States, performing my concerts in hundreds of schools and giving numerous programs for children and educators.

I am first and foremost a singer/songwriter.....however, I have never liked to limit myself, to box myself into some tag-title, since I believe each person is an ever evolving being and as such not limited by one-liners. Over the years my career has evolved into several different streams which have, however, always retained the original theme of interconnectedness!

Currently I am developing programs for children that synthesize environmental education/wellness and the arts. So, I will be sharing with any readers, all that I discover as I weave the knowledge that I glean into fun resources for early childhood education!

Today I have discovered a book called Smart By Nature written by Michael K. Stone/Center for Ecoliteracy - I have to order it, but I am excited!!

http://www.ecoliteracy.org/publications/smart-by-nature-book.html

I think that it is important that we convey to young children the understanding that we are part of this Earth, not separate from it, and therefore it behooves us to take care of it. A healthy Earth is the first step to a Healthy Human!

Providing educators with fun, effective resources that demonstrate how we are connected to food, how and where food is grown; how eating fresh food, (organic if possible), helps build the foundation of a strong body.

Finding a unique and fun way of teaching this is my mission....so, if this is something that interests you...stay tuned!!

Rainbowdolphin

The Little earth Charter

www.littleearthcharter.org