mindfulness- Getting through difficult times

 Dear UU Parents and Guardians, 

It would be lovely if you could join us for our weekly gatherings! 

Here is what is currently being offered: 

*Sunday School *
Approximately: 30 minute program geared towards K-5 but open to all ages
Sundays at 11am
Please email me for the link
Yoga with Maggie this week!!!

This summer you will find: Drag Queen Story Hour, Yoga with Maggie, and the
Pioneers Park Nature Center as well as guests from our very own UU
volunteer pool of caring adults. Each week is something different!

*Middle and HS Zoom *
Is taking a break during August! Join us again in September. Look for a message about a parent orientation. 

*Parent and Guardian Chat: *
The chance for parents and guardians to just get together and
Every other Thursday 8pm and every other Wednesday noon

 Wednesday July 29th at noon
      Link: https://zoom.us/j/474526337     Password: lovemykids    
Thursday August 6th at 8pm
      Link: https://zoom.us/j/866583131     Password: lovemykids 
 
*New Youtube links for this week!*

Music with Miss Molly:  https://youtu.be/MPurYox_-5Y
Story with Miss Heather: https://youtu.be/KIQYg3ig9v8

Story with Ms Alexa: https://youtu.be/9IOgwLvMM-g

Chelsea's Meditation Video: https://youtu.be/PBP0b1rBFB4

Theme this week: Getting Through Tough Times (Dragonfly Meditation)
Story "The Lotus Seed"

Words from Sumi Loundon Kim:

Just as in meditation, everyday life presents difficulties that we can identify and incorporate into our practice. When we're not enjoying our work, or our partner is upset, or something doesn't go our way, these are times we take up the challenge as an opportunity to practice mindfulness in our responses, to exercise right speech, or to take a breath and respond with patience. In these moments we are building up our spiritual muscles for 'the big time'. Learning from these small difficulties prepares us to be more skillful for the hardship that's truly devastating or catastrophic. As with weightlifting, we train frequently with the lighter weights so that we can lift the huge weights when needed. If we think back on the key moments in our lives when we grew significantly, we may find that most often these times are linked with difficulty. In fact, there seems to be a direct correlation between the degree of our suffering and how much we learn and grow. It's not that we should be asking for trouble - we shouldn't go out of our way to make ourselves suffer. Rather, when suffering arises, we can ask how we can learn from it, allowing the suffering to work on our heart and to help us mature. 

The Lotus Flower
The relationship between a wise and compassionate heart and suffering is illustrated in the iconographic image of the lotus flower. The flowers grow in muddy swamps, yet the lotus, resting on the surface of the water, glows with color and beauty. Likewise, it is from the mud and swamp of our lives that we find the energy and nutrients to open our hearts. In that way, we can actually feel gratitude for the suffering in our lives, because it is through these experiences that we learn to be more awake, compassionate, and free. 

Reflection:  

These are DIFFICULT TIMES (such an understatement). I honestly keep hearing my mother's advice repeating over and over, "Just breathe". What else can we do??? I personally feel so powerless often. Yet, here many of us are, faced with such huge decisions to make coming up. How will I balance work and family? How do I navigate this pandemic? How do I stop feeling so lonely? How do I make a choice about school for my children this year? There is a LOT on our plates. We're in this together, my friends. I have no advice besides to, 'just breathe'.  I'm here if you want someone to talk to.

Discussion Questions

1. When difficulty comes up in your life, what are your typical strategies for dealing with it? 
2. Share a moment that shifted how you thought about the experience of suffering. How did your relationship to suffering change in that moment? 
3. What have been some key transformative moments in your life? Were they in connection to an especially challenging situation? 


Resources:
Mindfulness during a pandemic: 
https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-03-24/meditation-tips-coronavirus-crisis 
 

If anyone is considering homeschooling this year, you may want to check out this UU facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unitarian.universalist.homeschooling/