Thich Nan Hahn tells us “The rose is in the garbage, the garbage is in the rose.” He wants us to think outside our usual either/or boxes.
EMotional Fitness Thoughts
The purpose of the Be With Beauty Exercise is to have you exercise the ability to find beauty in uncommon places. Beauty soothes, but finding it off the ordinary path strengthens you emotional intelligence.
As Thich Nah Hahn says whether you see beauty or ugliness depends on how you define or think about beauty. He disputes the human tendency to think in dualities, what is commonly called “Either/or thinking.”
Either. or thinking limits options. Mostly, you hold to past ideas. Looking for beauty in garbage or rocks or roots, on a crowded subway. or in the squalor of a slum pushes you to think beyond what you know and so strengthens critical thinking.
Emotional fitness tip
Add one word to the end of yours or someone else’s thoughts is another easy way to expand everyone’s thoughts. That word? And. Said as if asking a question , that one word usually leads the other person to
It can also be away of introducing a different idea. “And, I think a bit differently.”
Works far better than a “But” or a “No.”
PARENTING TIP
Using “The And Word” works great with kids. Kids, want to talk and want to feel you are listening. Using “The And Word” invites more conversation.
BLOG POSTING SCHEDULE CHANGE
Aging slows one down a bit. Another birthday is rolling around and I am greteful to still be able to blog. Although I mght blog every day, but Shabbat, I am not only promising to get an EFTI blog out every Tuesday and Thursday. Wednesday will be a Parents Are People Too blog
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO
Remember’s sharing is caring and the easiest way to practice kindness now is to share this post with someone who will find it inspiring. Thank you.
Katherine
LINKS OF INTEREST
- Critical Thinking (en.wikipedia.org)
- Yes/and Thinking (bigthink.com)
- Thich Nah Hanh (plumvillage.org)
- Be With Beauty (pinterest.com)
FREE POSTER COACHES
Like any coach, EFTI’s poster coaches inspire, teach, motivate, and reinforce thinking about what matters. To use, print up in color and post there it will be seen often. Poster Coaches can also be used at Family Meetings to start a discussion about what matters.
DAILY PROMPT
32 Flavors Vanilla, chocolate, or something else entirely?
“The And Word” leads to more flavors and that is the subject of this blog post. Cheerio.