SOUTH FLORIDA'S KIDS ART DAY

Dear Readers,

This year Under 21 Art Program has made a bold vision to create one of the largest KIDS ART DAY ever. The purpose is to expose South Florida's youth to as many art forms as possible. By doing so, we will be providing them with a choice to have a voice. As a community, we will teach them how to express their authentic, creative, brilliant minds through movement and art. 

Here's just a few things we are offering to the community: Yoga (Leslie Schwartz Yoga Journey, Boca / Wendi Klein Blum Strategy and Results Coach, Boca / and Amy Forman,Yoga and Hoop Dance Teacher, WPB) Hula Hooping (Jenny Ze, Hoop Extraordinare, Miami / Danielle Failla Prusoff, Hoop Master, Sebastian / Casandra Tanenbaum, Hoop Master, Lake Worth) Drumming (Nancy Nolen, yoga teacher, drummer, artist, Boynton Beach / Happz I Am, Drummer and Motivational Speaker, Miami)  Qi gong, (George Xavier Love, Director at Chinese Medicine, Boca) Sculpting (In'jah Renee Weatherspoon, Artist, WPB) Painting (Steve Backhus, Artist, WPB / Booma Narasimhan, Artist, Miami / Kris Delgado, Artist, Lake Worth), Break Dancing (David Mark Bonilla, Dancer, Lake Worth) and a live Dj (Alex De Marchi, Delray), and at the end a drum circle and african dancing. There will be a two hour parent workshop designed for inner healing, self discovery, and an experience receiving and giving love through connection. Parents will walk away with their own artistic creations. Workshop facilitators are Sara Dochterman, LCSW of Lake Worth, Evelyn Ballin, The Heart Painter and Ilene Gottlieb, Independent Consultant and Vibrational Healer, Palm Beach Gardens.

Don't miss this event. Click on this link for more information. See you all there.

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The Shift

Have you heard about the 2012 shift?  The shift everyone is talking about is an exploration and discovery of our unique contribution to the world.  Most people can identify with the shift as an internal movement.  This internal transformation then forms into an identity, which then becomes our purpose on the planet.  By choosing to remember our true identity,  we are automatically responsible for EVERYTHING we experience.  At the age of ten, I made a choice to be a contribution to our planet by serving our youth,  to be responsible for the way children are educated and to bring our community together in celebration, unity and love.

On February 9, 2013 my intention is to create a youth art day at the South Grade Elementary School in Lake Worth, Florida from 11am-4pm.  My intention is to invite thousands of people to join in on this auspicious day.  I am inviting every artist, singer, hooper, dancer, healer, poi master, teacher, policy maker, principal and you to join one of the largest youth art day ever!!!! Every child in South Florida will know how much they matter.

Lets create together.

HELP CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP IN EDUCATION

  Children who live in poverty are less likely to attend preschool than kids in more affluent neighborhoods. Research show that kids whose parents are educated professionals have fulfilled an entire year of education ahead of their poorer counterparts.  They know twice as many words and are exposed to various experiences that helps to expand their thinking and learning.  By age 10, the gap between these two groups is at least three years apart.

In third grade some of our children have not mastered the basic reading and math skills and never will.  By the time they reach 6^th grade they have lost hope in their own abilities to succeed.  We don’t need research or statistics to tell us that poor children are less likely to be taken to museums, theatres, cultural enrichment workshops or even the library. Its not because the parents don’t want to, but financial limitations get in the way, lack of knowledge and exposure to what is available. 

How can we support our children who are so far behind academically?  If our children are in fact three years behind, what can we do to boost up their self-esteem and self worth? Where do we begin to close the achievement gap?

1.    In order to support our children academically we must first boost up with their social-emotional being.  They deserve to know that they are worth living a life of abundance and prosperity.  They get to know that they are not their circumstances and anything is possible.

2.    It doesn’t take much to boost up a child’s self esteem or worth. All they need is someone to hear, understand, relate and care for them.

3.    To close the achievement gap we must bring back the ARTS into our school.  “UCLA professor of education Dr. James Catterall analyzed data on more than 25,000 students from the National Educational Longitudinal Survey to determine the relationship of engagement in the arts to student performance and attitudes, and also investigated the impact of intensive involvement in instrumental music on student achievement. She found that students with high levels of arts participation outperform “arts-poor” students by virtually every measure and that high arts participation makes a more significant difference to students from low-income backgrounds than to high-income students  (www.jensenlearning.com, 2012).”

In addition to the arts we get to provide equity and excellence to our children.  No child should be excluded or isolated from a classroom due to their score on a standardize test or behavior.  To be able to teach our children teachers MUST be happy to be in service to ALL children. If not, what's the point of teaching.  Educators who are open to feedback and learning from colleagues who are effective. Have a thirst for knowledge, finds solutions to problems and situations, ensures that ALL children are learning in a safe, loving environment, will do whatever it takes to provide the BEST instruction for ALL children and will change with time.

Go to www.vitueinapocket.com and click on program to find out about our art program called Under 21. Under 21 is on a mission to provide children with an opportunity to use their voice through art while learning about virtues. Join us in making a difference in the lives of our youth. Tutor or mentor a child once a week or month, volunteer your time at a day care center, elementary, middle or high school, send your child to our program or volunteer at Under 21.  Join us as we take a stand in empowering our youth to be the change.

On the move

VIP has decided to combine character development and art into one program as a way to provide a safe environment where young people can explore their inner artist. Under 21 is an amazing art program where young people are given the opportunity to connect to their innate intelligence by discovering their creativity and voice through art and community service. The purpose is to give children an outlet to exhibit their passion for the arts, a voice to speak their truth and an avenue to express it.

Local artists from the South Florida region volunteer their time to teach their craft using one of the seven virtues from the VIP curriculum.  They assist the youth in maximizing their fullest potential by owning their abilities as an artist, do the work that is required and have anything they put their minds to. 

On December 17^th Under 21 Art Exhibition will be held at the Village Gallery Studio in Delray Beach, Florida.  Come have a walk through and see what we’ve been up to.

FORGIVENESS

Historically, we, as a nation have struggled with prejudice, segregation, slavery, death, pain, anger and revenge.   We also experienced love, laughter, gratitude and joy.   Our children have learned behaviorally how to adapt to certain situations where they have felt wronged by someone.    Perhaps in some instances they have learned to harbor resentment and in other cases forgiven the person.  What is forgiveness?  How can we teach our children to forgive?

Virtue In A Pocket is designed to focus on seven virtues.   Each virtue was thoughtfully selected based on classroom observation and best teaching practices.   Each virtue has a set of tools that are designed to catapult a child into his or her authentic state of being.   To date,  forgiveness has been one of the most challenging virtues to teach and yet the most rewarding.  

While on my journey in discovering the missing component of what forgiveness is,  I have found ownership is the root of letting it all go.

 A course in Miracles states:   “ I am responsible for everything I see.  I choose the feelings I experience, and I decide upon the goal I would achieve.  And everything that seems to happen to me I ask for, and receive as I have asked.”  

Currently in my classroom there are students who come to school without the tools they need to function as a learner.  They often asks a friend to borrow paper and or a pen.  In response to their request the giver at times becomes angry and annoyed.   One day I decided to  ask a student the following question:  “why do you get so angry when he asked you for paper?” she responded, “because, he is never prepared.”  My follow-up question to her was “how are you supporting him in taking ownership for being unprepared for class?”  She responded by saying “I am not.”  Later on in the day she exhibited resentment toward him for drawing attention to the situation.   So I asked her how is she responsible for the experience.   With much hesitation and discomfort she said, “because I always give him paper."   Once she realized she was the cause and took ownership of the situation she was playing around and laughing with him once again.  

Forgiveness is taking ownership for one’s actions and letting go of the guilt, shame, resentment, bitterness, or any negative thought that is causing the thinker pain.  The thinker is you.  Some researchers believe that holding on to grudges can be harmful to the body.  There have been studies on the value of forgiveness and health.  Some studies reveal that forgiving people are less likely to have high blood pressure.  Others say it affects your mood. 

I have another student in my class who is one of the most sweetest, kind- hearted, generous individuals I know.   Last week she came to school angry.   I thought it was odd and at the same time normal teenage behavior so I ignored it for a few minutes to see if it would pass.  Fifteen minutes into the class she began to have small outbursts of anger toward herself and others.  Her dear friends were hesitant to ask her anything for fear of her response.  I walked up to her and asked her if I could support her in any way, she said no.  So I left her alone 

Two days later I asked the class to line up outside the classroom door. They were talking to each other in high pitched voices. The noise became louder than usual so I exited the room to observe what was going on.  There she was standing on line with worry written all over her face.   Her forehead was dripping wet and she complained about how hot it was.  I asked everyone to go inside  except for her.  I asked her what is wrong, she said nothing.  She said "my dad has been asking me the same question and I really don’t know the answer."  I had to attend to the class so I asked her if she was feeling o.k.   She complained about cramps and refused to tell me what was happening.  I asked her one simple question:  What can you do to change the way you are feeling right now?  Before she could respond I invited her to get a drink of water before she entered the class. 

She returned to class in wonderment.   I could see her brain in motion as she thought about what could be done to change her mood.  As she left the classroom I whispered to her “you are responsible for everything you experience.”  She appeared to be annoyed with the statement or me,  but continued her journey of self-discovery.  By the end of the week she sat quietly.  She never gave me a answer and I didn’t ask for one.   Forgiveness is awareness of the inner pain and the willingness to give it forth.  It is a decision on whether to remain in the experience of pain or surrender to the desired feelings and emotions.

Sometimes we allow ourselves to become puppets of the past, controlled by the memory of pain and hurt.   We could teach our children to become puppeteers.   As a puppeteer they have the ability to create the audience, the stage and characters.   So the next time your child is bothered by something and is too afraid to tell you what it is create a puppet show.  It is a way to give them a voice on a stage. 

Thich Nhat Hanh said “forgiveness will not be possible until compassion is born in your heart.”   Teach kids to be compassionate.  My children have observed my personal struggle with forgiveness  and have opened their hearts to feel the feelings and experience the loss I once felt.   They share their personal stories with me as a way to open my own heart to forgiveness. 

Robert Elright at the University of Wisconsin said in the movie The Power of Forgiveness “we pass on the injustices to our children."  In my opinion we also pass on the knowledge of forgiveness, like the Amish people who forgave Charles Roberts for entering their community with a shot gun, killed 10 young girls in a small school house and then killed himself.

I am convinced my children and I are one.  There is never an experience I endure that they are not a part of cosmically.   They are my biggest teachers in everything, especially forgiveness.  Whenever I think about discussing their own past behaviors with them, or if I attempt to make a decision in the present based on something they did in the past they address it right away.   My children have taught me that  forgiveness is not pretending that something never happened.   Forgiveness is expressing the emotions without attack.   Forgiveness is within.

Listen to your children with an open heart and a willingness to learn.  They are always right. Like the Amish people, let us all strive to be compassionate.  It is the medicine for pain.

THE TRUTH ABOUT BULLIES

Statistics

Bullying is an epidemic.  The research and statistics on this issues is quite startling.  According to MBNBD (Make a sound for a voice unheard) 

- “1 in 7 Students in Grades K-12 is either a bully or a victim of bullying.

- 56% of students have personally witnessed some type of bullying at school.

- 15% of all school absenteeism is directly related to fears of being bullied at school.

- 71% of students report incidents of bullying as a problem at their school.

- 1 out of 20 students has seen a student with a gun at school.

- 282,000 students are physically attacked in secondary schools each month.

- Those in the lower grades reported being in twice as many fights as those in the higher grades. However, there is a lower rate of serious violent crimes in the elementary level than in the middle or high schools.

- 90% of 4th through 8th graders report being victims of bullying

- Among students, homicide perpetrators were more than twice as likely as homicide victims to have been bullied by peers.

- Bullying statistics say revenge is the strongest motivation for school shootings.

- 87% of students said shootings are motivated by a desire to “get back at those who have hurt them.”

Scenerios

I have been asking my self a few questions like:  Why some children are so angry?  What is the cause of their pain?  What can I do to solve this problem?  Based on the information I’ve gathered I believe bullying is the repetition of negative actions toward self, projected onto another, with the intent to gain power or control over an internal battle.  The internal battle is usually caused by experiences created at home, which is where initial learning takes place.  To explore such a theory let's look at three different cases below.

1.     Parents, have you ever told your child no he/she can’t do something without a reason behind it other than, “because I said so,” or “I am the parent?” From a child’s perspective, no is a rejection from the person/people he/she admires and loves the most.  No means, I am not good enough (to receive an explanation), no means, I am not worthy, no means, I must protect myself from the world because if I don’t I will get hurt, no means, "every man for himself," no means, I cannot be trusted.  When that child reaches adulthood, asking or requesting for what he wants becomes problematic all because of one thing, FEAR of rejection. 

2.     In other cases children who are told, “yes go ahead mom has

to… “ These children are left alone to explore the world through art, music, luxury, free will and good fortune.  They usually have a similar experience to the children above in the form of lack of love, self-esteem, worth, commitment, etc.  While the parents are out drinking, having fun with their friends, working, starting new businesses, educating themselves, or just plain 'ole' busy, these children are searching for attention elsewhere.  In doing so, they become co-dependent.  They cling to the first person who shows them love, adoration, and affection. Their biggest fear is lost or abandonment.  Therefore, they are hardly ever alone for long periods of time.  They move from one relationship to the next in hope to find the right one.  When they do, their biggest fear is abandonment.

3.     Then you have children who appear to be intelligent beyond their years, may feel out of place in the classroom environment and even at home, partake in conversations about the world on a higher level, their intuitive minds are extremely powerful,  they are the bearers of the truth, and believe in world peace and harmony.  They show up as isolated, anti-social or extremely social, emotionally sensitive and misunderstood.  They often feel dis-empowered.  Their purpose is to bring forth memory that will catapult our thinking to the next level.  However, parents who are unconscious about who these children are consider them to be rude, disrespectful, dark and rebellious.  They are attention seekers mostly in the form of dress, at times behavior, mood and emotional outbursts. 

In all three cases the one thing that is missing is SELF LOVE.   What can we do to teach our kids how to love themselves? We could start by accepting ourselves as divine, accepting our children as healers on this planet, and finally taking ownership for everything we experience.  Each and every day of their lives our children reveal information to us for our ascension.  And yes, at times it isn't presented to us in a pretty little box with a bow on  top.  Therefore, instead of looking at the behavior, focus on the theme, the message, or the result.

For example: If you find yourself constantly and consistently discussing the same issue with your child ask your self two simple questions: What is the lesson?   Where am I doing the same or similar thing in my life?  How can I use this information to transform the relationship I have with myself and family?

Have you ever dealt with the following situation at home?  If so, consider the questions that follows.

Broken dishes: Where do I break my word? How often do I break my word? Do I honor or respect my word?

Lying: Where am I not being honest with my self?  What are the lies I tell myself?

Stealing: What are my conversations about lack? What are my limited beliefs?

Sneaking around: What am I afraid to reveal?

The Bully

Who is the bully?  The bully we see outside of ourselves is the bully we have within.  If you are triggered or get upset at a bully or a victim just ask yourself: where am I bullying or have bullied?  Do I truly love my neighbor (or brother) for who he is, or am I trying to change or mold him to fit inside a box?  Do I give forth the things that really don’t serve me or the planet, or do I justify them by manifesting people in my life to support my beliefs just to be right?  Do I judge others (myself) harshly?

Look around you!  Children are duplicating what they experience through their senses.  Can we truly, authentically and honesty tell a child to “stop being a bully” when as adults we’ve mastered the art of manipulation by being a silent, under cover, back door bully ourselves?  Yes, there are areas in our lives that are working for the goodness of everyone around us, but not as a whole (planet), how do I know, look at the results.   We are still having internal battles that are projected onto our children, friends, family, and the world at large.  How many times have you beaten yourself up for something you “think you did wrong?”  How often do you kill ideas that are not your own in fear of becoming "second best?"  When was the last time you mentored someone or supported someone in fulfilling a life long dream?  Have you ever disliked someone because your friend is having a problem or issue with that person?  When was the last time you smiled at a stranger?

Our children are crying out for help and the inner child in us understand what it feels like to be alone, frightened, lost and worse of all misunderstood. We could all make a difference by first healing the inner bully and give it forth. You are not your story.  Stop being victims of our own damnation.  We are truly all here to serve one another in a way that will have us all be winners.  No one is left behind.  The next step is to stand firmly in our individual greatness.  And finally live love, be love and give love to everyone no matter what.   Love unconditionally.  Love because love is.   Love like it is the last time you will ever love.  Lets support our youth today by loving their process of mastering this game called LIFE.

Facts on  bullying http://www.makebeatsnotbeatdowns.org?facts_new.html

GENERATION NOW

I woke up this morning feeling excited and exhilarated knowing and believing I AM EVERYTHING.   This of course isn’t the first time I’ve experience this type of joy, however, I am noticing my comprehension level has increased and is increasing as I experience life lessons. 

I AM A POWERFUL, AUTHENTIC WOMAN, who is intelligent, witty, driven, determined, courageous passionate, with integrity, and committed to make a significant change in the way our children think about themselves.  EVERYBODY it is time to empower our youth to take a stand in their lives right now. 

Last night I had a conversation with my children about a very close friend I once had in my life.  I told them I miss the moments I shared with this person and, I know the possibilities for our relationship to grow into a union that is strong enough to move this planet in a direction where ALL relationships will flourish.  My oldest daughter replied, “Why don’t you just call her and tell her that.”  What a concept!!!!  Our children have all the answers to everything.  As educators we are in service to them, drawing out what is already there.  Sometimes we think when children are acting out in class they are not as smart so we label them, medicate them, talk about them to other teachers, and the most shameful of all we diminish their self worth. 

Our children deserve the very best because they are the best.  This week I will partake in a discussion about the result and effects of character development.  I will also discuss the new curriculum I wrote called Virtue In A Pocket.  If you live in the West Palm Beach area, or close by I encourage you to come and learn about what we CAN do as a country to LOVE and NURTURE our children by developing their character, building up their confidence and worth through love and empowermenr.

Come join me and two other AMAZING women Jeanne Dexter – Owner of The Talking Jars Series and Tyra Sartor Brown - Managing Director, Coaching Associates, LLC - The Mommy Coach in a discussion that will alter the way you think about educating our Generation NOW.

Hilton Hotel - West Palm Beach

150 Australian Avenue

West Palm Beach, FL

on

August 12^th, 2011

11:30-1:30

Thank you for your support in TAS4 our youth.