When my Godson Michael was in 1st grade, I went to visit him and his mom. After playing with horses, he got an allergy attack and we quickly whisked him in the car to get some over-the-counter relief.
While his mom was in the store getting some medicine, dear 7 year old Michael was looking out the window and said,
“Do you know what?”
“What?” I replied.
“What we say we create.”
“Really?” I said…..”Tell me what you mean” (I couldn’t wait to hear this…!).
“Well, If I tell my body to be scared then I can’t breathe, but if I tell myself ….’it’s ok….i’m ok’…….then I take deep breaths and feel better.”
“Wow,” I said…..”you really do have the choice of what you tell yourself….and it makes a difference right?”
“Yeah,” Michael said……..and then continued…….”Like on the playground……Matthew was being mean to Jessica and she started to cry. But then I told her…..’Jessica…..don’t cry, I used to be upset when Matthew was mean to me, but now I realize……he’s just troubled.’
By this time I feel tears of awe starting to form…..and there was more. He looked at me and said……
“I don’t have to play with him, but I can still have compassion for him.”
I told Michael…….”Oh honey…..if you get that already, your life is going to be so much easier and more joyful.”
This is one of my all-time favorite stories……and it came out of a 1st grader…..learning what real love is all about.
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