Mindfulness - Generosity

​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 14th 8pm
      Link: https://zoom.us/j/866583131     Password: lovemykids
 Wednesday the 20th at noon
      Link: https://zoom.us/j/474526337     Password: lovemykids

New Youtube links for this week!

Story with Ms Ashleigh:https://youtu.be/E4xFWMvJ5g8

Story with Miss Heather: https://youtu.be/8KCIoyNctU8

Music with Miss Molly:    https://youtu.be/v7Yz6O7431Q  

Weekly Message for Parents and Guardians
Theme this week:
Generosity

Chelsea's Meditation: https://youtu.be/vHlDq517HyQ

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: Generosity

I read the book: Rainbow Fish

Discussion questions to consider this week: 
1. What was one of the most memorable gifts, either material or nonmaterial, that you have ever received? What about one that you've given? 
2. How did it feel to give this gift? How did it feel to give your gift? 
3. Why do you think generosity is one of the foremost teachings and practices in spiritual traditions? 
4. Discuss some ways you think you could practice generosity, realistically and meaningfully, in the week ahead. 
5. When you are generous with your children, are there strings attached, agendas, or mixed motivations behind your actions?
6. What is the line between generosity and indulgence with our children? 
7. How might you cultivate generosity and sharing in your home?

Some Thoughts from Sumi Loundon Kim
Generosity is not confined to giving things or money. It is possible to be lavish with our gifts but parsimonious with our time and attention. For example, as a new parent, one day I noticed that I was purchasing toys for my kids in the hope that they would be entertained long enough for me to have some time for myself. Ironically, I think what my children really wanted was my attention, and i f I had given that to them fully, they would have been satisfied and gone on to play by themselves. In this way, generosity includes giving our time, our full attention, our love, our inner peace, our skills, and our friendship. These are the gifts that we cherish when someone gives them to us. 
Generosity also cultivates other significant qualities of spiritual development. It loosens our attachment to time, territory, and money and helps us to see that letting go is not as terrifying as we may have thought. It's an antidote to greed, of course. And acts of giving help us to reevaluate ourselves so that we are defined less by what we own or have and more by the quality of our mind. It's okay if, as you aspire to practice generosity, it's a little bit hard to do. The Tibetan Buddhist teacher Gehlek Rimpoche calls this feeling a 'pinch,' a sign that you're growing beyond your self-limits. 

A note in reflection of Mother's Day
So - in relation to the concept of the word 'generosity', I wanted to recollect a notion that I heard from my own mother at one point. 
She said something to the effect of, "You know that last bite of chocolate cake? The one that tastes so good and you'd really love to finish? When you offer it to your child instead, that is what it's like being a mom. You always want the best for them. You put them first." Now, I have to selfishly admit that I have been known to refer to my ice cream as 'spicy' so my children don't eat it. I have totally taken that last bite, even though one of them was eyeing it. Yet, the concept remains. I will sacrifice my own sleep to ensure that they feel safe and cared for as I lay beside them and sing at night, even though I could/should be doing dishes, or winding down with some yoga. I will wash their clothes and wear my own sweater two days in a row. I will buy the veggie nuggets in dinosaur shapes instead of the Indian Curry that I'd really prefer. Being a parent is the epitome of generosity. We give...and give...and give when we have nothing left. And it is EXHAUSTING. So, I hope that if you are a parent and this week you are feeling as though you are really needing something to help fill your cup, I hope that you will consider gifting something for yourself. Whether that is the grace of taking a day off of work, five minutes peace in the morning with a cup of coffee before anyone else wakes up, or splurging on those slippers you have always wanted -  I hope that you can do something for yourself. Thank yourself for the constant generosity you always offer to others. I don't know about you, but I have had the terrible tendency of holding high expectations on holidays for others to be generous to me. I am finally learning to extend that generosity to myself. I wish you so much love this day and all days. 

Be gentle with yourselves this week. 
I am grateful for you.