June 2020: 5 Ways to Inner Calm, A New Practice for Family Time

One of my son’s teachers asked the class this week, “what have you been able to accomplish during this time, that you wouldn’t have been able to do otherwise?”  This question has intrigued me  What have you been able to do?  I’ve been able to do Pilates/Yoga twice per week because I’m spending less time travelling to the classes and can fit it in whenever suits me.  I've also been able to help deliver some groceries to residents of a supportive housing complex, which has been a new learning experience for me.  

During this time of social distancing and change, I have also had the opportunity to spend more time with my teenaged boys. This is a blessing that I would not have had were it not for the pandemic. However, due to the monotony of our new COVID routine, I found that we were not enjoying talking about "what did you do today?" As a result, I decided to start a new practice. It is very simple: I read aloud to them after we finish eating a meal together. I borrowed the idea from a book called Introverted Mom by Jamie C. Martin.  It sounds a bit odd and I know my boys think I’m odd, but I’ve started with Anne of Green Gables.  At first everyone scoffed at me and there were lots of teenage eye rolls, but then everyone actually started to listen (at least a little). I never got the chance to read this beautiful story to them before and I had always wanted to!  In addition, it has created some interesting points for discussion about much needed social changes then and now.  If you have had the gift of extra family time during the past three months, I’m sure you too have created some special memories (in amongst the times where everyone is driving each other wild, of course).

In terms of new Time for Healing projects, I am excited to invite you all to a virtual zoom event about learning to care for ourselves that will be held on Saturday June 27th 10-11:30 a.m.  I will be joined by five amazing women to offer “Self-Care: 5 Ways to Inner Calm”. We will look at tapping and yoga with Angelique Benois and guided meditation with Sonia Madan. Charlotte Harris will show us how to make a bath bomb and I will be teaching some Reflexology points. We will also be entertained by our moderator Judy Lee and inspiring vocalist, Deidrey François. Please register via our Facebook Event Page.  And you are welcome to invite your friends!