There has been quite a bit of activity here on our block. As the weather has started to get warmer there has been an increase in fighting in the streets. When I started the project, one my my goals was to create avenues for the youth in the neighborhood to get to know one another so that they wouldn't fight. This evolved into the idea of creating leaders within our group who could become Ambassadors of Kindness. But lately it seems like we are going off course.
So to remind myself to be the example, I have decided to implement a Kindness Challenge for the month of May. The goal is to say as many nice things to as many people you meet every day for the next month. It is a good idea to keep a little tally sheet. For the people you work with, or if you are around young people for awhile, the goal should be about five positive statements an hour. Or more if you can manage. By working on our behavior to reflect the highest ideals of ourselves, we are sure to see a difference in our relationships. But that is not enough, we have to work also on our thinking When a critical or judgmental thought arises, replace it with a loving and kind one. Make a tally of all the times you do this in a day, and see if you can start to reduce your critical thoughts. Even make sure you are doing this for yourself as well. A critical thought against myself is the worst kind, just like negative comments towards others brings them down, those against ourselves discourage us from becoming our best. So give it a try.
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It is quite amazing to realize that we are now entering our fifth year of operating the Art Garage, and if you have watched our history, it is pretty standard to have snow sometime near our opening day.
We stayed inside for the most part and since the house at 800 Thrush has been converted into a Center for Creative Learning, it was comfortable and productive. Jessie led the activity creating a body image and placing our interests in the center and our connections with community around the outside. We continued our interviews on the virtues, and of course had pizza and snacks. It definitely felt like family. We may not have created a lot of art, but we worked to create the kind of world we want to be in, and what is more important than that. |
Abigail LarrisonEducator, Scientist and Art Maker. The purpose of all life is to spread joy. What brings more joy than making art? Archives
November 2023
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