Mindfulness- Anger and Forgiveness

Dear UU Parents and Guardians

I'd love for you to join us for our weekly offerings: 

Sunday 11am 

Sunday School 
30 Min Program geared towards K-5 but open to all ages
Email me for the link

Middle and HS Zoom 
Monday nights 6pm: 
Email me for the link

Parent and Guardian Chat: 
The chance for parents and guardians to just get together and
Every other Thursday 8pm and every other Wednesday noon
Thursday the 16th 8pm
      Link: https://zoom.us/j/866583131     Password: lovemykids
Next Wednesday the 22nd noon
      Link: https://zoom.us/j/474526337     Password: lovemykids

New Youtube links for this week!

Story with Ms Alexa: https://youtu.be/buyn3jGPBEA

Story with Miss Heather: https://youtu.be/buyn3jGPBEA

Music with Miss Molly:  https://youtu.be/X8rbiJE7oHI  

Weekly Message for Parents and Guardians
Theme this week:
Anger AND Forgiveness

Chelsea's Meditation: https://youtu.be/E8pRasDG0h0

The meditation lessons which I am doing are geared towards K-5th graders, but everyone is welcome to them. The theme for my lesson this week was: Anger and forgiveness. I read the book, "Ahn's Anger"

Kiddos fighting a lot during this time? 
Finding yourself in the midst of lots of tantrums? 
Needing a reminder for yourself to cool down?

The lesson this week may help a bit. 

"Anger is a natural and human response to situations that are threatening, unjust, or inappropriate, or in which we feel powerless, demeaned, or afraid. As such, anger is an important signal from our mind and body that tells us there's something we ened to pay attention to. The purpose of our practice therefore is not to eliminate anger, but to learn how to listen to it and respond in ways that don't result in further harm. In meditation we learn that we are not our thoughts, but we are responsible for them. Likewise, we are not our anger, but we are responsible for it. Over time, through understanding and practice, we move away from destructive reactions toward more skillful responses." - Sumi Loundon Kim

Some phrases for working with anger in meditation are: 
May I accept my feelings as they are
May I take care of my anger with compassion and ease
May this situation teach me about the true nature of life
May I see clearly what is here, and respond wisely
May I be free from so much anger and blame
May I find the resources to understand and not judge myself or others harshly
You give me your anger. I do not accept it. The anger still belongs to you. 
May I respond to anger with kindness. 

Discussion Questions:
1. What are your beliefs or views about anger? Is anger acceptable or unacceptable? 
2. What strategies do you currently have in working with your anger? What strategies would you like to change, or add? How are you teaching your children to handle anger?
3. How was anger expressed and dealt with in your family of origin? In your partner's family of origin?
4. Anger comes out more readily in family situations than in other contexts because the normal social barriers to expressing anger are removed. How does anger manifest itself in your family? How do you handle conflicts around space and time, feeling respected or loved, child-rearing and household responsibilities, and the need for change?

If you'd like to read more, this is a great article from 'Tiny Buddha' called, "Don't Control Anger- Control Yourself" https://tinybuddha.com/blog/dont-control-anger-control-yourself/

Take a deep breath. We are in this together. Please always feel free to reach out to me. I'm here for you.
Be gentle with yourselves this week. 
I am grateful for you.