Hello,
Best Day Yet listeners.
This is a Power Episode.
That means in this episode we teach you a tool that you can use over and over anytime you need it.
This episode is perfect for anytime you need calm,
Rest,
Or help grounding back down.
This is a hugging meditation.
It's based on the practice created by Thich Nhat Hanh.
Who is Thich Nhat Hanh?
Thich Nhat Hanh is a global spiritual leader and a peace activist.
And he's known all around the world for his mindfulness teachings.
Cool!
Science says that kids who are hugged a lot actually grow bigger,
Smarter,
Healthier,
Calmer,
And more resilient than kids who are rarely hugged.
Pediatricians recommend that all kids get at least 17 hugs a day.
Whoa,
That's a lot of hugs.
I know,
We better get hugging right away.
And kids listening,
You might want to listen to this episode 17 times a day.
Just kidding.
For this practice,
You will need a stuffed animal,
A pet,
A friend,
Or a family member.
If you're in the car and you don't have any of those things available,
Don't worry.
Because you can hug yourself.
You got it.
And hugging yourself is great too.
Who doesn't need more hugs?
If you need to pause the episode to go get someone or something to hug,
You can do that right now.
Are you ready to hug?
In this practice,
I'm going to hug Annie.
And I'm going to hug you.
Let's go.
First,
Give a little bow to show the one that you are about to hug that you see and respect them.
And next,
Take three deep belly breaths.
Breathe in and out.
Breathe in and out.
One more time.
Breathe in and breathe out.
And open your arms wide.
And begin hugging.
Take a deep breath in and become aware that you are here right now.
Breathe out and you feel happy.
Take another deep breath in,
Still hugging.
Become aware that the one you are hugging is here right now too.
Breathe out and the one you are hugging is happy too.
Take a third breath in.
Become aware that you are here together right now on this earth.
Breathe out and feel thankful and happy for this togetherness.
Now,
Let go of this person or pet or stuffed animal and give another little bow to show thanks.
How do you feel?
I liked hugging you.
I liked hugging you too.
Let's say our affirmations.
Do we have any listeners out there who want to say the affirmations for us?
Hmm,
Maybe they didn't hear me.
One more time.
Hey,
Listeners.
Anybody want to say the affirmations for us?
Oh,
I see someone.
She's far,
Far away and she's waving her hand.
Do you see her?
She's all the way in Florida,
Which is many states away from Annie and I.
Let's go say hello.
Hi,
Violet.
Hi.
Kids listening,
This is Violet.
She's a listener just like you are and today she's going to help us repeat the affirmations.
Are you ready?
First,
I'll tell them to you and next,
You can tell them to me.
These affirmations are inspired by the way we feel when we get a really good hug.
When I get a really good hug,
I feel happy,
I feel loved,
And I feel well protected.
Here I go.
You are happy.
You are loved.
You are well protected.
Today is going to be a good day.
Now you can repeat after me however you feel.
You can think them in your head.
You can say them out loud or if you want,
You can yell them.
Ready,
Set,
Repeat.
I am happy.
I am happy.
I am loved.
I am loved.
I am well protected.
I am well protected.
Today is going to be a good day.
Today is going to be a good day.
Thanks for listening,
If you liked this one,
Try it again with someone or something else.
It is so,
So good for us to hug and it's something that all of us could use a lot more of.
Our time is up.
Power episodes are quick.
They are quick.
The bright happy light in me sees the bright happy light in you and I'm wishing you the best day yet.
