Did you know this is a song is debatably about polio?
Little Miss Muffett is a nursery rhyme about a little girl who is frightened by a spider.
Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater had a wife and couldn’t keep her so put her in a pumpkin shell and there he kept her very well.
Humpty Dumpty was unfixable.
Duck, duck, GOOSE! I love duck and geese, really I do, but I would rather be called a unicorn, bunny, kitty, doggy or something fuzzy, friendly and fun.
These are the nursery rhymes I grew up learning. Do they feel sad and depressing to you? Do they make you think happy thoughts? No? Me either. I was taught these in school and we sang them daily. Did they contribute to me obtaining and believing in limiting and negative thoughts? I believe it’s very possible. I believe that all of the little things that fed my imagination also created my inner and outer reality.
Yes, they are just a nursery rhyme. But are they really just that? They are words and thoughts that occupy our time and if we can encourage children to look for the love even in a nursery rhyme than we’ve set a stepping stone for them to choose love in the bigger picture.
When choosing books, songs, rhymes, stories and such to share with your children be aware of what it is going to encourage your child to think. If "Ring Around the Rosie," isn’t about polio than what is it about? Do I feel like it encourages my child to think happy thoughts? Well it doesn’t hurt because they don’t know. They are perfectly content running in a circle screaming at the top of their lungs no matter the verbiage. However, I personally feel that whether there is truth to this urban legend or not I would rather the children sing something else. I would rather them sing something to uplift their mood and that will encourage them to think more lovingly and positively even if it is subconsciously through a rhyme or song. We can choose love as our language in the smallest of ways.
Danielle, in her own words: I am a young woman seeking out ways to help and heal my life. I am releasing my fears and worries to enlighten and lift my being in order to better myself, my children and the world around me. I am learning to be responsible for my energy and my contribution. I live in tiny town in the middle of Illinois on 2 beautiful sandy lakes surrounded by family. I have 14 beautiful healthy nieces and nephews and 2 amazingly bright children that help me to live life on the silly side. Children are so pure and free to be. They inspire me to let loose and live optimistically. Danielle writes the column "Buddha Babies."
The warm weather has hit the Midwest early this year. My children are already helping me enjoy the outdoors for the majority of our days. We seem to be go, go, go at full speed ahead. They are so excited to enjoy the suns warmth on their skin and feel the cool earth beneath their feet that they are ignoring lunch time, relaxation, and simply getting swept up in the sunshine. Sometimes we just need a gentle reminder to slow down and observe in gratitude at our surroundings. Here’s just a little ditty to share with your littles as you try to enhance the potential of their day with a bit of relaxation and a few deep breaths.
Busy Little Bees
Busy buzzing bees Stop and tell me what you feel and see. Is there a breeze? Do you notice the love in the trees? Take it all in with ease, if you please.
Laughing, singing, jumping, running, skipping and dancing All of this is fine, fun, fabulous and fancy. Remember to slow down you busy little buzzing bee. Long enough to enjoy the refreshing breeze and the glorious trees! Wiggle your toes and feel the green grass tickling you beneath your feet. It will lead you to feel perfect and free. It will lead you to love the air you breathe. So tell me you beautiful little buzzing bee, what is it that you feel and see?
Danielle, in her own words: I am a young woman seeking out ways to help and heal my life. I am releasing my fears and worries to enlighten and lift my being in order to better myself, my children and the world around me. I am learning to be responsible for my energy and my contribution. I live in tiny town in the middle of Illinois on 2 beautiful sandy lakes surrounded by family. I have 14 beautiful healthy nieces and nephews and 2 amazingly bright children that help me to live life on the silly side. Children are so pure and free to be. They inspire me to let loose and live optimistically. Danielle writes the column "Buddha Babies."
In the past year I have discovered meditation. I'm not very good at it, but I'm getting better and plan on mastering it. What if I had been taught to meditate as a child? How differently I imagine I would have handled myself in the world.
In just the short year or so I have been using it my love for myself and life has drastically changed. I use meditation at bedtime to help my daughter release the day and accept the night. She has not had one nightmare since we added this to our routine and I am so impressed with the smile and glow on her face once we're finished. I plan on encouraging her to do it more often throughout her days and life.
I think having her create her own meditation station will encourage her to be creative and excited about her time in meditation. I want to give her freedom to make her own space and give her the knowledge she needs to understand why it's an important routine.
I wrote this as I was brainstorming on how I could make this a fun experience that she would look forward to. And of course to remind her of how completely important her presence is no matter where she is or what she is doing. When my son is ready I hope he follows suit.
Meditation Station
A calming crystal for clarity. A hand picked rock to ground thee. A picture of a waterfall to help our time here flow with ease.
A feather to ask our heavenly friends for protection. Praying hands to ask for guidance and direction.
A cross to ask our Christ to clear our conscious. A purple flower to remind us of beauty and encourage thoughts of bliss.
Our meditation station we have lovingly made. Now is our time to feel our way into a peaceful state.
We sit as still as a lotus As we use our breath to help us focus.
Peace and happiness we choose to exude As we sit in deep gratitude.
Clear our minds by letting our thoughts rest As we allow our bodies to enjoy deep cleansing breaths.
This space we have created within us Is to help us find what frees us and help us release what freezes us.
When our time here is finished Thoughts of fear will have been diminished And our love for ourselves and the day will be enhanced and replenished.
Pushing past life's limitations Using mindful meditations Creates inner peace which serves our entire nation.
Quieting our minds and listening to our souls Will help us step into our role and achieve our goal Of helping to mold a society that works towards love as a whole.
Your little soul made of gold wants you to know How to sparkle, dazzle, grow and glow.
Be sure to find time to quiet your mind So we can listen and learn how to express and live our purest divine.
Our meditation station is one more tool we can use To bless this world with new more loving views. Choose to know you. Choose to exude the love within you. If you do, a better world you will leave behind you. And all those you pass will have one more reason to smile and say thank you.
Danielle, in her own words: I am a young woman seeking out ways to help and heal my life. I am releasing my fears and worries to enlighten and lift my being in order to better myself, my children and the world around me. I am learning to be responsible for my energy and my contribution. I live in tiny town in the middle of Illinois on 2 beautiful sandy lakes surrounded by family. I have 14 beautiful healthy nieces and nephews and 2 amazingly bright children that help me to live life on the silly side. Children are so pure and free to be. They inspire me to let loose and live optimistically. Danielle writes the column "Buddha Babies." You can find Danielle on Facebook too. http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Blossoming-Buddha-Baby/246912155353686
How do you explain to your children about their soul, God, and why we are here? I’m experimenting each new day. Mainly with an open mind, lots of helpful articles, books, tips, my heart and definitely a dose of silly and fun. I want us to take life seriously and our contribution seriously, but it MUST be a fun and loving experience.
Spirituality is fun. Loving God is fun. Loving the God IN you is fun. Doing things like praying, giving, sharing, and growing our little spirits each day with knowledge and laughter is fun. That’s the point of these articles.
I labeled God as boring in my past. I labeled God as someone outside of me in my past. The more I accept myself as a part of God and a source to live through him the more patience, love and acceptance I have for myself and all. I want the same for my children. I want them to understand their power and step into it now. Not when they are grown up! Now!
My beaming little sparks of light shine so brilliantly now with their pure hearts, loving intentions, and sweet perceptions. Let’s help encourage them to keep this spark of divine energy that God gifted us burning brightly each and every day. Let’s teach them to bring in the sacred and spread the sunshine. Blessings.
The Sun in My Tum Tum
There is a brilliant and golden sun residing in your tum tum. It's a beautiful, bright and luminous light shining deep inside. You may not see it, but I know you will feel it.
Without you knowing it's there sparkling, shimmering and glowing. It's the fuzzy feeling or sensation you get when you share the love of your spirit. It's that warmth in your heart that expands when you lend a helping hand. It sparks a twinkle in your eyes when you smile big and bright.
You may brighten your light by choosing to do what feels right. Your glow within will expand out by loving who you are without fear or doubt.
You may know others who wish for your light to be dimmed. They may say and do things that will cause you to hurt within. When this happens know that what they speak of is surely not so. Take a deep breath and illuminate the glow in your soul. Know that you are safe, perfect and whole.
You’re doing it right if you feel the love inside you and then share it times two. Every kind word and generous act will lovingly impact all and that’s a fact. Act and live in everyday by using your guiding star. Spread your sunshine, shine your light, and be the luminous light that you are.
Why feel "ho hum" when you’re capable of shining as bright as the sun? Breathe in love and radiate peace. Try it! It’s helpful and fun!
We need your brilliant light to illuminate day and night. Pay attention to your glow and be sure to keep it warm and bright. Be sure to notice what makes your light sparkle and grow. Then do more of it to increase the warmth and enhance the glow. By doing so you will encourage others around you to take note and follow. You have the world to change so give it a go.
Danielle, in her own words: I am a young woman seeking out ways to help and heal my life. I am releasing my fears and worries to enlighten and lift my being in order to better myself, my children and the world around me. I am learning to be responsible for my energy and my contribution. I live in tiny town in the middle of Illinois on 2 beautiful sandy lakes surrounded by family. I have 14 beautiful healthy nieces and nephews and 2 amazingly bright children that help me to live life on the silly side. Children are so pure and free to be. They inspire me to let loose and live optimistically. Danielle writes the column "Buddha Babies." You can find Danielle on Facebook too. http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Blossoming-Buddha-Baby/246912155353686
I use to use timeouts in the exact opposite way that I have described here. If my children did something "bad" to warrant a time out I sent them away to "think" about it. I had an aha moment after reading an article that opened my eyes as to how I should handle those moments of anger and frustration from my children. We still witness shouting and pouting during timeouts from time to time, but having been approaching it from this angle for awhile now I must say it is MUCH more helpful and produces better behavior for the moments following.
I do not want my children associating quiet time with "bad"time or timeouts with being a "bad" kid. I want them to understand that they are normal and justified in their feelings but that using a timeout wisely can help us learn how to be better next time in the way we handle our feelings. Usually my daughter asks me to sit with her and talk her through a meditation or prayer so by the end of the timeout we BOTH feel better :)
Thankful for Timeouts
A time out is a moment to unwind and calm your mind. When emotions get crazy and your mind gets lazy it's time to sit and breathe gently, deeply and gracefully.
It's not that you’re in trouble or that you're bad. It's that you need a tad bit of your time to release the mental clutter and grime.
We all have moments when we feel angry and sad. We must breathe through them on our way back to being glad. Sit quietly, hum happily, read a book that makes you smile, or pray to your God when your emotions and thoughts get a little wild.
Patience, peace and being present can be easy when you practice. Feeling overwhelmed, angry, and frustrated is normal for us only when we forget to stop and breathe deep loving breaths before we begin to make a fuss.
Find a warm and loving space where you feel safe. Let your breath show you the way to a place of patience and grace. When you're done you'll be ready to act and speak in your natural kind, calm and caring ways. When you’re done you can continue living out your moments and day with a carefree sway.
Calmly breathing can be your magic potion when you need to overcome these unloving emotions. You may be young in age and small in size, but your words and actions can still hurt, help or heal, that is for you to decide. If you say or do something that may lead to a timeout. Try not to choose to pout and shout.
Close your eyes and remember fun times, pray for the angels to surround you with calm light, breathe in deep and let your healthy belly fill up with delight.
When timeout is over you’ll be ready to play, sing, learn and dance while using loving words and gentle hands. So you see timeouts are your chance to enhance feelings of love and happiness. Using them in this way will help you live out your days at your very best.
Year after year our family grows. We have 4, 5, and even 6 separate "christmas parties" to attend each December. It is rather easy to get overwhelmed and rushed. Gifts being thrown at the children after they've eaten pumpkin pie and cookies does not always seem to be the most loving combination (all though it sounds like it would be). Especially when you do this 4, 5 or even 6 times!
This year I am really trying to help my daughter understand how truly blessed we are so that she may truly and genuinely thankful and appreciative throughout this crazy busy time. I want us to remember each other and the love we shared. I want us to remember hearing grandmas and grandpas telling us stories or sharing their old recipes with us. I want us to remember the little cousins dancing to Christmas music together and smiling from ear to ear. I want my nieces and nephews to remember how safe and loved they felt in the arms of me and my family. It's not about the toys and the overindulgence that has become Christmas. It's about breathing in the simple goodness that is family. It's about family and friends knowing and feeling how special and important they are to us because we took the time and found the energy and words to make sure they were aware of their roles in our lives.
May your holidays be filled with an abundance of beautiful and loving blessings.
Holiday Delight
Parties, presents, desserts and pies oh my!
These are some of the joys during our holiday times.
You’ll see friendly faces, worship, praise, and say grace.
You’ll fill your little belly with lots of love and flavor.
Made by those who enjoy and savor
Your presence and smile.
All you have to do my sweet child,
Is open your heart to receive and give out love wherever you go.
Those you love will spend money, love and time
Creating days and moments for you to feel much delight.
We are blessed with family, food and friends.
We are gifted these moments to enjoy and extend
Our hearts, our hands, our smiles and our gifts.
Use your smile and laughter to uplift and shift
The holiday grinches you meet and help them to see
How blessed we are and how thankful we can be.
It’s up to us to spread the love.
It’s up to us to share our hugs.
We are blessed. We are so fortunate.
Let us share what we have in every moment.
It’s the holidays. It’s time to pray.
It’s time to give thanks and appreciate.
The things we will receive are special and great.
The family, friends, and love are even better.
Rejoice, enjoy, uplift, give, share, care, bless, pray and play
All through these spectacular and love filled holidays.
If you're able to do so you may have just found your way
to create more happy and healthy moments during these cold and snowy days.
Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray to the Lord my soul to keep. If I shall die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. God bless everyone. Amen.
This was the prayer I grew up saying every night before bed. Can I just say that rather than comforting me it scared the crap out of me? I would lay there and think, "What is a soul and why do I have to ask to keep it?" and "Could I die in my sleep?" Is it any wonder that I had countless nights where I was completely terrified to go to sleep for fear of not waking up. I was afraid of the Lord because I had to ask him to keep my soul. Why would he take it from me? I didn't put two and two together until I was a young adult that this prayer not only instilled fear in me but it left me tired and grumpy morning after morning because I would stay awake until my eyes could not stay open any longer. I was terrified of dying in my sleep or of someone stealing my soul. As I got older I revised it to....
Now I lay me down to sleep. I ask the Lord to lay with me. May the angels protect me all through the night And wake me with the morning light.
It felt better but since I have used this prayer with my daughter, I still feel like I can do better. I have tried a few different prayers and so far we like this one the best. People and kids especially take things and life so literal. Be mindful of the ways you choose to describe people, places, things, loved ones, life, etc. Make sure your words leave you and your child feeling comforted, confident and loved. Ask your child how things and words make them feel. What works for one might scare, intimidate, discourage, or sadden another. Night time can be a scary thing for children. I hated the night and would pray after my mom tucked me in for it to be morning and sunny forever. Find ways and words to comfort them so they relax peacefully into their beautiful, sweet dreams.
As I lay my head on my pillow tonight, tucked in snuggly and tight, I thank the good Lord for the day and the night.
I pray for all the hungry children in the world. May health and nourishment be the norm for every boy and girl.
May my dreams be beautiful and sweet. May I awake feeling renewed and complete.
God bless everyone. May tomorrow bring lots of love, hugs and fun.
Danielle, in her own words: I am a young woman seeking out ways to help and heal my life. I am releasing my fears and worries to enlighten and lift my being in order to better myself, my children and the world around me. I am learning to be responsible for my energy and my contribution. I live in tiny town in the middle of Illinois on 2 beautiful sandy lakes surrounded by family. I have 14 beautiful healthy nieces and nephews and 2 amazingly bright children that help me to live life on the silly side. Children are so pure and free to be. They inspire me to let loose and live optimistically. Danielle writes the column "Buddha Babies."
This piece is based on conversations I have been having with my daughter lately. She is learning the whys of being kind and respectful. It is important for her to understand the why's on every subject. I know this because that's her immediate response to my asking of any task, "Why mommy?" I hope to teach her the importance of kindness through the why's in the most positive and loving way I know how.
Mind your manners, what does that mean? It means choosing to speak and act politely. Speak and act politely, what does that mean? It means choosing ways to speak and live happily. Live and speak happily, I know what that means. It means to smile, laugh and love my life and all beings.
Saying may I, thank you, you’re welcome and please can help us live happily? Yes ma'am it can, I'll tell you why. It’s a sign that you love and appreciate the help and the gift of their time. It's you showing respect for every act and person that is caring and kind. When you say please, thank you, yes ma'am, and may I it is one way for you to say, I love having your help and love in my life.
Don't be shy or timid when you speak your wee whispers of wisdom. Look people in the eyes. Tell them you’re thankful for their gifts and their time. Speak clearly, kindly and mindfully. Simply showing your appreciation helps lead others to feel a loving sensation.
What is mindfully mommy? It is when you know the helpful and loving thing to do. It is when you pay attention and notice the chances to do so. Then you do so because you know so and you know love grows from the smallest of seeds wherever it is sewed.
Manners are ways to make love grow? Yes ma'am. Now you know. Your whispers, words, and caring ways will allow others to help you while knowing you have an attitude of gratitude for the multitude of things they do. May I, please, have a nice day, yes sir, and thank you are loving words for you to choose. Using them is just one more way to help make this world a loving and kind place.
As a child it is easy to forget that we are important. Society tends to teach us that you are not important unless you are successful. Society also tends to define success on a very material level. I feel like as a child and a young adult I forgot that I mattered. Had I known how powerful I was from day one I may have chosen more loving and kind thoughts and actions throughout my life. I knew I was important to my mother and family. I knew they loved me and needed me. I did not however realize that the world and every person in it needed me. I wasn’t aware that my voice and my decisions affected those far and wide. I always felt unimportant. I could not fathom that my small and simple thoughts and ways were of any importance to anyone other than myself. I didn't comprehend that my small deeds could make a large and significant impact on our HUGE planet.
I want to remind my children and all those here that we are ALL a very important and special piece to the puzzle. Our inner world affects the outer world on every level. Big or little, rich or poor we matter. If we all cared and we all realized our importance we All would see better and brighter days.
We are teaching the change we wish to see in the world by simply and purely nurturing our little boys and girls.
Every Pitter Patter Matters
Every pitter patter matters. Every word you chatter matters. Every thought you gather matters.
Walk with light and gentle pitter patters. Whisper wise and sweet words as you chatter. Think thoughts of love and kindness because you matter.
You’re special, perfect and priceless. Use love always, it’s timeless!
Smile at life with your heart. Use beauty and peace to set you apart.
Understand your uniqueness. Understand you are not just a little mister or miss. You were born to create feelings of bliss.
You may be eensy weensy teensy, teeny tiny or itty bitty, but you're love can be felt and spread in every city.
Live kindly, peacefully and gently it's the way we were meant to be. Be different, be unique, tread courageously on your little feet. You are special and you are sweet. You are here because you can add to the love the world needs.
Just be you in all you say, think and do.
Be authentic, genuine and true. Seek the greatness that is within you. Seek truths. Seek ways to make life feel fresh and new. Seek ways to enhance your beliefs and values. Use your hands and words to heal. Your talents and gifts will impact our world a great deal.
Remember as you live out your days that you're important and powerful ways are what we need to make life not good, but amazing and great.
Danielle Rutledge: I am a young woman seeking out ways to help and heal my life. I am releasing my fears and worries to enlighten and lift my being in order to better myself, my children and the world around me. I am learning to be responsible for my energy and my contribution. I live in tiny town in the middle of Illinois on 2 beautiful sandy lakes surrounded by family. I have 14 beautiful healthy nieces and nephews and 2 amazingly bright children that help me to live life on the silly side. Children are so pure and free to be. They inspire me to let loose and live optimistically.
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