Weedy Thoughts - Harwood, Sandra

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Résumé :
Our thoughts manifest themselves in so many ways, often negatively. This book explores how we think and feel through the new friendship of Podaby and Pockets. For parents, guardians, carers or teachers: A note from the author To me a 'weedy thought' is when you hear unhelpful and unkind thoughts in your head, that stop you from being your true self. I created this story about 'weedy thoughts' to help open conversations about thoughts that block us from knowing and being our unique selves. 'Consciousness is always a question. Rather than come to a conclusion, be in the question about everything.' - Dain Heer. All my life, I have suffered with low self-worth and anxiety. It wasn't until I reached my late 40s that I realised I had so many troubling thoughts that made me feel like running, fighting or hiding from the world. In my role as mindfulness specialist, I am often surprised by the number of children and adults who share these troubling thoughts. We don't always realise the wonderful contribution our uniqueness is to those around us and this book aims to help us see ourselves through a clearer perspective. I believe, the more you accept yourself the way you are, the more you can contribute to your own life and to those around you. This way you are free to make mistakes and create conscious choices as you learn and grow. We are all on our own journey, so rather than trying to be perfect, why not be free to explore different ways of being you and appreciate each other's uniqueness. This book has been written so that I can pay forward the compassion, strength and self-worth I continue to discover as I face life's ups and downs. Psychologist Dr Daniel Siegel, author of The Whole-Brain Child, says that when we are experiencing strong emotions, we need to 'name it to tame it.' I am confident that naming strong emotions combined with exploring weedy thoughts and turning them into questions, will open up new paths that truly honour your uniqueness. Some questions you may wish to explore with children: Before or after reading together, it's a good idea to discuss the meaning of any words that may be unfamiliar to the child. What are 'weedy thoughts'? What weedy thoughts did Pockets have? How did Podaby help Pockets get past her weedy thoughts? Curiosity is the key to discovering a different point of view. Have you noticed any weedy thoughts lately? Would you like to name them, draw a picture of what they might look like? Would you like to talk to someone you trust and have a play with creating questions to help set them free. What is special about Pockets? What makes her character strong in this story? Would you like a friend like Pockets? What would make Pockets a good friend to have? What is special about Podaby? What makes his character strong in this story? Would you like a friend like Podaby? What would make Podaby a good friend to have? Other questions Pockets could have asked is, what does beautiful mean to you? What does clever mean to you? What does friendly mean to you? Questions like these can help us realise that everyone is beautiful, clever and friendly in their own way. I believe, the more you are you, the more you are a gift to yourself and those around you. Thank you for being uniquely you.

Biographie:
Sandra Harwood has a Bachelor of Education, Diploma in Early Childhood, and is a qualified Personal Trainer, Life Coach, Angelic Reiki and Access Bars Practitioner. Sandra is currently the Mindfulness Specialist at a Primary School in Melbourne Australia. In her 30 years of teaching, Sandra has taught in all areas of the curriculum from Foundation to Grade Six, including roles such as Art Specialist and Reading Recovery Specialist. Sandra has facilitated Mindfulness and Well-Being Workshops for principals, leaders, staff and parents. She is on the Mercy Hospital for Women's Advisory Committee and has assisted in facilitating family workshops for VARTA (Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority). Her passion for mindfulness comes from having faced and overcome adversities, and a desire to enhance our perceptions and abilities towards enjoying all that life has to offer. Sandra's first book, Creating Mindful Moments, was published by Busybird Publishing in 2017. Sandra's first children's book, Each Moment, was published by Busybird in 2018, followed by Weedy Thoughts in 2020.