“It really works, Ms. Davis, it really works!”
The truth is when you engage in mindfulness and mindset practices you will slowly start to change your life. Yes, even in some of life’s toughest circumstances.
You, and those in your life, are literally one breath, and perhaps a few positive affirmations, away from changing how you view yourself and what’s possible for you in the world today.
We can be so hard on ourselves. We may think that we don’t have talent or we’re just not that smart in X subject or Y field of study. It’s easy for most of us to shove ourselves into a tiny hole of shame and blame.
Can you imagine when more cards are stacked against you?
Like say, maybe your mom has to work evenings and can’t pick you up from the 24-hour daycare until 9:30 p.m., so when you are ready to start your day the next day you are exhausted and likely super hungry because you missed dinner.
Or, maybe dad isn’t home, because he’s in jail. Though some current prison statistics are showing gaps between the number of blacks and whites in prison is shrinking, we know that in many cases that black men are incarcerated 5 times morethan their white counterparts.
First, I want to acknowledge that we all face struggle. And, some of use face a few more struggles than others.
If you read my blog last week, you will remember that I talked about the important, albeit, uncomfortable topic of being white and privileged. If you missed that blog piece, you can read it here.
This week I continue that discussion in my interview with 2ndgrade teacher, Marissa Ford. She teaches at Shadydale Elementary in the Houston Independent School District, a campus primarily comprised of black and brown students from low socio-economic backgrounds.
We take a look at the positive impact mindfulness and positive-self talk (affirmations) have for young black students, particularly female students in STEM programs (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
Tune-in to Episode 6, part 2 of my 2-part interview with Miss Ford and, find out what she’s up to with all things mindfulness, STEM, and teaching young girls how to code! If you missed last week’s episode (Episode 5, Part 1), then be sure to start there.
As Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
So it is that when we change our mind, we change our life, and we change the world.
XO,
