mindfulness- Walking

Dear UU Parents and Guardians, 

It would be lovely if you could join us for our weekly gatherings! 
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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
Email me for the link
Yoga with the amazing Maggie Pleskac this Sunday! Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat if you have one.  
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 *
We are now combining with Omaha youth groups and this will be
offered *Wednesday* nights 7-8:30pm
Come meet some other cool UUs!
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

 Wednesday July 15th at noon
      Link: https://zoom.us/j/474526337     Password: lovemykids    
Thursday July 23rd at 8pm
      Link: https://zoom.us/j/866583131     Password: lovemykids 
 
*New Youtube links for this week!*

Music with Miss Molly:  https://youtu.be/7VF7Q8HpdA8  
Story with Miss Heather: https://youtu.be/J0Y9pS61hKc

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

Chelsea's Meditation Video: https://youtu.be/q5zyP5fXqoU

Theme this week: Walking

Reflection:
Ever since March and we started being inside more often, I have taken walks as part of my way to de-stress. I often have the children with me, but sometimes I walk on my own. With how often we are inside these days, walking has been a really great respite from being stuck indoors. I have also often brought my camera along. Taking moments to appreciate the sounds and sights of nature have helped me calm down and refocus my perspective. A simple shift of environment can do a world of wonders. 

Words from Sumi Loundon Kim

Walking meditation is one form of practice easily integrated into your home life. Here is an inspiring excerpt from senior meditation teacher Kamala Masters on practicing walking meditation as a young mother: 
(My teacher) noticed that I walked through the hallway from my bedroom to the livingroom many times a day. The hallway was only about ten steps long, and he suggested it could be a perfect place to do walking meditation....He gave me some simple instructions. "Every time you step into this hallway, see if you can use the time as an opportunity to be present with the simple fact of walking. 'Just walking.' Not thinking about your mother, or about the children...Just experience the body walking....Do this without judging, condemning, or criticizing. In a simple and easy way, bring your attention back to just the walking, noting, 'stepping, stepping, stepping.' Your practice in this hallway will be a wonderful training for you. It will also benefit those around you because you will feel more refreshed."
It didn't seem like much of a spiritual practice, but every day as I walked back and forth through the hallway on my way to do something, I would have a few moments of clear presence of mind - unhurried, unworried, at ease with life for a precious ten steps. 
When we are with our children, we can verbalize what we are noticing. For example, while ona  walk, we can say, "I smell rain drying from the sidewalks," "I see the sunlight touching the leaves on the tree," or "I hear cars passing by." Children, following our example, begin saying what they are noticing. This practice has the double benefit of increasing our own awareness as well as that of our children. 

Discussion Questions

1. How do you think walking meditation can help us work with our anger?
2. Is there a stretch of your house where you can practice walking meditation, particularly as part of your daily routine? 
3. What is particularly enjoyable about walks you take around your neighborhood?

Another article suggestion: 
Parenting during a pandemic is not easy.
'Parenting With Heartbreak'
https://www.uua.org/re/blog/parenting-heartbreak?fbclid=IwAR3jtvvM0LuTqRYpXKchTepwseoWNWfsehElPnkhOfJniA0Nt_z7qgk24Fw

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