Hip Hop Speaks to Children

Hip Hop Speaks to Children, is a great book to help celebrate, not just Black History month, but also the arts, poetry and reading.  It has different songs and poems that you can also listen to, with the audio CD that comes with the book.  I often play it when my daughter is doing crafts or just hanging around the house.  She loves it! It makes her move and groove and encourages her to practice rhyming words.  It's also a fun way for kids to learn about some amazing black artists.  For example, there are poems and songs by everyone from Maya Angelou, Tupac shakur, Lauryn Hill, Mos Def and Martin Luther King Jr.  I bought my copy at a wonderful book store, that I buy most of my daughters books from.  They have an amazing, diverse, and inclusive collection of children's books. Here's a link to their site :)
http://www.anotherstory.ca/

Black History Month

To celebrate Black History month, here are some activities that are going on in our city for kids and families.  

At the Royal Ontario Museum, on February 19, 20 and 21st, there is going to be a celebration of Africa's culture and heritage.  Music performances, films, drumming workshops, a scavenger hunt through Africa, family tours of the ROM's exhibition El Anatsui : When I Last Wrote to You about Africa, as well as crafts inspired by the special exhibition.  Check the link below for times, it sounds like a lot of fun!


http://www.rom.on.ca/programs/rom_kids/family/index.php?ref=showinfo&program_id=6739

http://www.toronto.com/blackhistorymonth?action=spot_5_663315 

QUOTES

"In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you."
                                                                                    -DeepakChopra


" Learning how to be still, how to really be still and let life happen-that stillness becomes a radiance."
                                                           -Morgan Freeman

"Traditionally we are taught, and instinctively we long, to give where it is needed - and immediately.  Eternally; woman spills herself away in driblets to the thirsty, seldom being allowed the time, the quiet, the peace, to let the pitcher fill up to the brim."

                                                -Anne Morrow Lindbergh

"Quietness with thoughtful reflection and relaxation can be empowering."
                 -Cynthia Wright

                                                                                          

"You lose touch with inner stillness, you lose touch with yourself. When you lose touch with yourself, 

 you lose yourself in the world."

                               -Eckhart Tolle

"Your innermost sense of self, of who you are, is inseparable from stillness. This is the I Am that is deeper than name and form."

                               -Eckhart Tolle

OUR LOWEST POINTS ARE OUR BIGGEST LESSONS

Dearest Clarity,
Since I've started school things have just been crazy!!!! Trying to juggle readings and assignments, taking care of my daughter, trying to find her childcare and all the rest of life's challenges, it's been pure chaos!  

Throughout this whole time I've slowly started to feel myself get weaker and weaker.  My body started aching, no matter how much sleep I got, I was still tired.  I had no patience left, and my overall love for life just started slipping away.  So last week the universe or maybe myself decided that things needed to change.  I ended up having an unexpected surgery along with other health issues and I am still recovering.  It has been very painful and difficult, but at the same time its given me a chance to stop, think and reflect.  Why did this happen to me?  

This whole week I have struggled with having to be still and not having the ability to get up and go go go like usual.  I've realized that that is how I numb myself from feeling.  I don't have to face myself and my thoughts and feelings, if I don't ever stop.  I never take time to sit or lie down in silence, only when I'm completely exhausted and just pass out.  It's almost like a foreign concept to me.  When I'm stressed, tired or upset I grab a glass of wine, or go out with friends, put the t.v on, anything but be still or quiet.  

I've also realized through conversation with my mother and writing in my journal, that this happened so that I would wake up.  Wake up and see that I am not acknowledging me.  I'm a nervous wreck!  Is it possible that it is that hard for me to be still?  I've neglected myself to the point that my body is shutting down?  That's crazy!  I felt so many different emotions when I realized this, and I thought how did I get here? 

Through this I have truly come to believe that our lowest points are our biggest lessons and our most precious gifts, if we use them.  I have spent the last week eating as much nutritious food as possible, taking as many vitamins as possible and resting as much as possible.  I'm trying to build my strength up and get back to the me I know and love, with some fine tuning! :) 

The hardest part has been trying to take some time to be still, check in with myself.  My goal is to write every night and meditate for at least 5-10 min every morning.  Sounds so easy, right?  Well if you are reading this post and can relate to it in any way, I challenge you.  I challenge you to sit still, in silence for 5-10 minutes.  I challenge you because I am seeing how important it is, and how much you can gain from being there for yourself, listening to what is going on in your mind, body and soul. 

I dedicate this one to my Happy Queen!