Time for a Change?

I've always thought there must be a better way as far as the education system is concerned. Don't get me wrong, I have a great respect for teachers. I believe that most teachers are very loving, concerned, caring, and committed. Unfortunately, the system as it exists ties their hands. There's a "mold" that they have to try to fit all children into. There's not a lot of room for individualism.

I believe each child - each person for that matter - has their own special gifts, talents and interests. The "mold"... the establishment... doesn't always allow students to explore the things that are of interest to them. Who decided that we should all graduate knowing the exact same things, like little robots?

Albert Einstein said, "Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it's stupid." Is that what we're doing to our children? To our society? Are we making people feel stupid because they don't fit into the mold? Maybe those "stupid fish" are the smartest of us all. I look forward to a time when all people will be celebrated for who they are, for their individual genius.


Love, Paula

Guided Meditation

My oldest grandson Luis and I have been talking about getting together to meditate for almost a year now. Between his schedule and mine, we just haven't been able to make it happen yet. We finally made a "date" though. We'll be getting together in a few days.

While I was in that wonderful state between awake and asleep last night, I was "given" the following guided meditation to do with Luis. I did it myself and it left me feeling great. I wanted to share it with you.

Take a deep breath..... let it out.
Take another deep breath..... let it out.
With the next "in" breath, breathe in the love of the Universe.
Feel the love enter your body.
Feel it start at your toes and move up your legs..... your hands..... your arms.
It's now filling your whole body.
Feel your heart expanding. It's filled with so much love, you think it might burst.
Now, on your next "out" breath, send love to Mother Earth and all her inhabitants.
With the next "out" breath, send love to the whole universe.
Breathe out love - give it freely.
Continue breathing in love and out love..... in love..... out love.

Stay in this state as long as you're comfortable or as time allows. Let me know how it works for you.

Love, Paula

Unwrap the Present

On my way to work today, I saw a sign which read, "Don't count the days. Make the days count." Brilliant! I love it.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we lived our lives that way? Most of us tend to look forward to upcoming events and we forget to LIVE all the days leading up to that event. If we're planning a vacation for example, we count down the days. And the days leading up to it are filled with packing, planning, shopping and dreaming about our expectations. We don't LIVE those days. It can't come quick enough and we wish our lives away. Instead of enjoying today, we dream about how much better and more fun tomorrow is going to be... or the next day... or the next day.

My son and his girlfriend are coming to Erie at the end of this month for a week. I'm so excited and can't wait to see them. And guess what I'm doing? I'm planning food, treats, where we might go and when we might go there. I'm counting down the days and can't wait until they get here. I'm wishing my life away.

Now don't get me wrong, planning is a good thing. There are things you might have to get ready before going on a trip or having company. That's okay as long as you don't let it consume you. Plan, but plan consciously and live the day... the WHOLE day. We need to learn to enjoy every moment of every day. As the saying goes, "Each day is a gift. That's why it's called the present." Let's learn to unwrap the present to enjoy and live every moment of every day.

Love, Paula

The Planetarium

Tom and I took our youngest grandchildren Troy and Maria to the Planetarium for the first time this weekend. I'm not sure how much Maria got out of it. She's only three years old. But Troy, who is five, was wide-eyed with excitement and curiosity. He's at such a great age. He has this wonderful, natural curiosity and absorbs information like a sponge.

It reminded me of the first time that I took my grandson Tommy to the planetarium. He was around Troy's age. About a week before we went, I told him where I was planning to take him. A few days later he said, "Grandma, what planet are you taking me to?" When I said the planetarium, he heard the planet Tarium. Talk about love and trust...! He was so confident of my love that he knew I'd never do anything that would hurt him. He trusted me so much that he was willing to go to another planet with me... no questions asked.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to have that much excitement for life? To recapture that innocence, love and trust? To get back to being open; not guarded, protective and jaded? I believe that is our real nature. Life experiences, expectations of family, friends and society has taken that away from most of us. But by being around children, we can recapture some of that wonder and excitement. They can teach us how if we watch and listen. I'm so fortunate to have such wonderful little teachers in my life. I hope that all of you are as fortunate as I am.

Love, Paula