MERRY CHRISTMAS! Our new pages will be uploaded soon. In the meantime ...
When was the last time you got down on your knees and played with a child? Or do you feel too tired, depressed, or stressed to drum up the necessary enthusiasm? (Those who are depressed need to read this; those who are stressed need to read this; those who aren't parents, please scroll down to the last three paragraphs.) Lawrence J. Cohen, a psychologist specializing in children's play, has written an important book called Playful Parenting, and we recommend that you buy - or get your local library to stock - it today. You can read more about Lawrence here. Dr. Laura Markham, too, is a teacher of love, and we're including a game she recommends not only because it's fun, but because it works:
"Convince your child on a very deep level that you LOVE him by chasing him, hugging, kissing, then letting him get away and repeating - again and again. 'I need my Michael fix ... You can't get away ... I have to hug you and cover you with kisses ... oh, no, you got away ... I'm coming after you ... I just have to kiss you more and hug you more ... You're too fast for me ... But I'll never give up ... I love you too much ... I got you ... Now I'll kiss your toes ... Oh, no, you're too strong for me ... But I will always want more Michael hugs ...' This is my favorite game, guaranteed to transform your child's doubt about whether he's truly loved (and any child who is 'misbehaving' harbors that doubt). A stepped-up version involving both parents. Fight over your child (jokingly), vying to see who can snatch him up and hug him. 'I want him!' No, I want him!" "But I NEED him so much!'"
And here's a tip to start getting to know your child better, which can only strengthen your relationship.
Our culture's focus on achievement at the expense of love is, we believe, an obscenity. And, given the breadth of understanding we now have into both the evolution of empathy and happiness itself, only ever counter-productive. What's the point of achievement if it doesn't result in happiness? In the end, what is life really about? And why aren't we focusing on teaching our children how to be happy, rather than punishing them for not conforming or encouraging them to be resentful authoritarian machines, Tiger Mother-style? We like Alfie Kohn's take on life a lot better:
The Stupid Stress almost all of us experience on a daily basis - stress we need help to combat, and stress that not only destroys our quality of life but life itself - can also be an insurmountable barrier to conception. As a result, Dr. Randine Lewis, author of The Infertility Cure, has produced The Fertile Soul, a beautiful and important new DVD that approaches fertility from a holistic perspective, explaining how, as mammals, we are hardwired not to conceive in times of insecurity and tension.
Dr. Brandon Horn, another recognized authority in the field of infertility, has released Restoring Fertility: Yoga for Optimal Fertility, a brilliant step-by-step guide to releasing anxiety and promoting hormonal balance. Both his and Randine's DVDs are essential to women who are, for any number of reasons, having difficulty conceiving. Brandon can be seen elaborating here:
And click here for Antonella Gambotto-Burke's fabulous reviews of all the best new children's books.
Otherwise? Please sign on immediately for free wireless amber alerts - you may just save the life of a child.
Those who suffer from anxiety may be interested in reading this; those who feel mired in despondency will benefit from reading this; and those who aren't convinced that hope is the answer need to read this. The state of happiness is easier to achieve than you think. Believe - or make a commitment to throw defensive cynicism to the winds - and watch the world change.
And whatever you do, don't forget to print a number of these up, fill them out to yourself or one you love to whatever sum you like, and let the universe do the rest! You don't have to worry about how, when, or why ... if your intention is loving, the money will follow. We tried it and - unbelievably enough - it works! So thank you to the lovely Rhonda Byrne for The Secret.
Marcus Aurelius, immortalized in Ridley Scott's film Gladiator, once said: "The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts; therefore guard accordingly." In The Deeper Wound, Deepak Chopra writes: "Suffering can be defined as the pain that makes life seem meaningless … Don't be afraid to ask for contact. Reach out." If you are feeling suicidal, please click here.
Browse the site at your leisure. Send relevant links to those you think would benefit. Bookmark the site. And, most importantly, enjoy. (There are also Yahoo! groups relevant to just about every circumstance.) You may want to donate five dollars to Children of the Night, an organization that saves abused children from prostitution. To read more, please click here; to donate, please click here. Or buy a starving family a goat or chicken from the Smiles Gift Catalogue here.
