01 Feb 28th Jan. 2017 Drumming Forward Program, Juvenile Treatment Center, South Lake Tahoe, CA, 2nd Session
Jan. 28th, 2017.
The Theme this week was, “Story & Acceptance.” Everyone has a “Story” or history – good bad or somewhere in between. If we appreciate, acknowledge and hopefully move on from our story, we will become more compassionate regarding the story of others. The more we understand our own difficulties and hardships the greater compassion we can extend toward others. Even when others get under our skin, we can always find something to appreciate about them and possibly even relate too. I ask the kids to do a journal exercise that brings these concepts to mind.
In session two we talk about stories and how they may effect our behaviors and attitudes towards others and ourselves. West African rhythms tell stories, and a nice analogy can be made by weaving these concepts together with music.
Our meditation went well again this week and most had tried to do it on their own in between our last visit together. One youth expressed gratitude for knowing how to focus on the breath during a frustrating situation that had come up during the week.
The life design strategies are coming along nicely. We made a long list of the positive traits we would all like to model in our lives as we move forward.
Till next time,
Drum On!
Liz