ABC Feelings "newsE-letter"

Volume I, Issue 6                       April 2002

http://www.abcfeelings.com     800.745.3170      fax:  208.772.0411

 

Welcome to the ABC Feelings newsE-letter.  This is our way of keeping in touch with the friends of ABC Feelings, sharing  thoughts and feelings, quips & quotes, featured books & movies, snack ideas, attitude of the month, special links to keep you informed, poetry--whatever we think might interest you.  We welcome your feedback, ideas--anything you'd like to share with us.

 

In this issue you'll discover:

 

à        Parenting Tips & Ideas, (saved from the sword of sorting)

à        and ©--Treat yourself!  Take the time to reflect.

à        Music--when did you change the channel?

à        Treasure your baby's voice! (grandparents, here's your cue)

à        and ©--Sing for Peace

à        Benji, an Art & Essay Contest

à        Health, for you & your kids

à        and ©--Calendar for Dr. Delis-Abrams, "the attitude doc"

à        How to order ABC Feelings Products

à        What to do if you no longer wish to subscribe

 

Parenting in  April & Always

            Well, Alexandra's still sorting and organizing, one of her favorite pastimes! In the process, she's come across some of her joy filled journals and magazines, no longer published, and has two great articles to share.  The authors are mentioned, and it never hurts to research for the books or articles on the Internet if you want to read further.

            Her first recommendation was the article "Parenting by Intuition" by Barry Neil Kaufman, Director of the Option Institute in Sheffield, MA, in which he gives the following parenting principles

1.       I never, ever try to save my children from their unhappiness.  Barry says when this is done, it implies that unhappiness is out of their control AND unhappiness is powerful as a tool to motivate mom, dad and others, and unhappiness is a sign of caring.

2.      I don't owe my children anything.  (This one will make you think)  Barry agrees with me that children are amazing students of the beliefs of our culture and those of their parents.  They understand early on that when the parent continually delivers, it appears it's their job to do so--that they owe the child something.  The relationship becomes lopsided and lacks the learning of gratitude, and fails to encourage the development of a sense of appreciation for all that is provided.

3.      I am really present when I am with my children.  Many parents half-listen to their children, partners, co-workers, etc.  We hae so many expectations and agendas for our children.  Being present is the key to truly enjoying the moment to moment events of parenting.

 

Want to challenge the author on his thoughts?  Option Institution 800.672.7171 or visit their web site at http://www.optioninstitute.com/

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          The second article Alexandra found for us was "Why Taking Care of Myself is Good for My Children" by Reggie Mantei.  She makes some terrific points. . .

1.       When I care for myself I'm going to have more fun with my children

2.      When I care for myself my life is in balance.  I get to be a separate whole person.

3.      When I care for myself I live more in the moment.  (both authors made this point)

Author Reggie also states "only to the degree that we acknowledge our unique importance and serve our basic needs are we able and eager to concern ourselves with the needs of others, to be genuinely warm and loving, truly understanding and compassionate."  Good advice Reggie!

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            Treat yourself and take some time to reflect!  Stop and ask yourself. . .

à         Are you breathing deeply - into your abdomen?

à         When was the last time you took a leisure walk in the forest, by the sea, into a garden?

à         How many times did you laugh in the last seven days?

à         Do you see your truth when you look in the mirror?

à         Have you told the people in your life how much they mean to you lately?

     and ©--

 

Music--When did you change channels?

 

What's your favorite music?  Why? When did it become your favorite?  How does the music you listen to keep a distance between you and your children?

Driving to work in the morning, I flip on the radio, sit back and begin listening to our local mild, not quite on the edge of going to sleep, but not ready to wake up station.  My son pointed out that I've become pretty controlling about the music in my life, and subsequently our lives. He switched over to a local rock station and insisted I at least listen for awhile to his choice of tunes!  Initially I was a bit hostile about it all.  His music is more awake than mine, faster than mine, more verbal than mine, is filled with more passion than mine. . . I began to wonder when I switched the station from fast to slow, quiet from loud, undemonstrative from verbal, and neutral from passionate.  Ouch….these thoughts hurt.  Oh sure, there is a necessary element of calm that I will probably never discover in the music of his choice; but I've discovered that the story of the unfolding of his life is in the middle of the tunes he's listening to.  Part of it is scary, and maybe that's why as parents we try to control the tune of our children's lives.  But, some of it is fun, alive, pleasurable, mind expanding!  I invite you to trade your radio station for the day (or the rest of your life) and listen to what your kids are hearing, saying and thinking.  Talk with them about what they love in that music.  My son has shown me a different side of himself and of me by sharing his music with me.  I feel grateful to be hooked into that loop in whatever way I can be.

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"Music is the unified language of the universe.  Everything is melody, harmony, strings, and the universe is a symphony.  The mind of God is music resonating through 10-dimensional hyperspace" Michio Kaku, physicist, author, teacher, advisor for NASA and Star Trek (http://mkaku.org)

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Music is your own experience, your thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn."

-Charlie Parker

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If you're in the market for piano music that will truly soothe your soul, we recommend the music of Leana Leach of Sun Valley, Id.  She has produced two beautiful cd's, Solitude in Ivory and Jade.  Leana is an inspired and accomplished pianist, and if you are interested in purchasing this bit of heaven on earth, please contact her at 208.726.5624.  (hope she doesn't mind me sending her number all over the country--you can blame me!)

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Treasure Your Baby's Voice!

A message to new grandparents

 

Moms are often too busy to think about recording their child's voice, so Alexandra took it upon herself to start recording the sounds of their granddaughter Alissa from the age of three weeks.  She's now all of 15 months on the planet!  She recently played a tape over her mother's voicemail of the sweet sounds of her daughter laughing and giggling with her "yiaya" (Greek for grandmother).  You can't be upset for any length of time when you hear a child belly laughing with sheer delight.  It's never too late to record those sounds and interactions.  From the first words to the first date, get it on tape!  Having had a business in the past where she recorded people's life stories on audio tape, Alexandra says she has had prior clients tell her the recording of their parents is in their safe deposit box.  They say the sound of the voice is the sense we lose first!  So, have fun with your little ones and make magic together!

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Hey everyone!!! Let's get together and sing for peace.  It's not too late to join in on April 20,  Check out the EmpoweredParent web site and learn all about it at http://www.EmpoweredParent.com

 

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Benji Art & Essay Contest in Arizona

Benji Movies, the American Humane Assn, a national animal welfare agency, and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control are looking for entries to the "Benji Art and Essay contest" for youth.  Open to ages 6-14 in Maricopa County in Phoenix, individual and class submissions are welcome.  For complete information please contact Anna Gonce at 303.925.9462 or Julia Hutton at 480.460.2126.

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Music is the soul of language."

-Max Heindel

 

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            Would you like to implement a program at your school or in your home to begin building a foundation for character development? The most effective method to developing character is by first encouraging self-exploration.  Why do we do what we do? Why do we think what we think?  What am I feeling?  We have recently introduced the 34-page booklet "101 Ways to Introduce Feelings Communication and Character Development into the Classroom and Home".  Priced at $5.95 and $2.00 shipping, you are sure to get amazing ideas and results from '101 Ways' Please visit our web site at http://www.abcfeelings.com  or, call us at 800.745.3170 for ideas on which products will best fill your needs!

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Here's to the health of you & your child

Alexandra shares--In November I experienced strong sensations in my right hand.  It was suggested I have surgery within the next few months.  As this isn't my style, I proceeded to look deeper to the source of the ailment.  I was eager to know what was causing the sensations in the first place.  Well, after a variety of chiropractic sessions, therapeutic massage, x-rays, alkalizing my body, eliminating bread, dairy and sweets--following my intuition as far as the next step, doing a neuro-physical reprogramming session with myself (a protocol examining my beliefs with regard to the situation) and observing and honoring the healing process, the symptoms are 95% gone--maybe six months later.  The moral of the story--look to the cause and remember you are a wholistic being--physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.  Everything works together.  It's fascinating to discover how complex we truly are and how amazingly perfect the entire process is.

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Did you know?

à        Obesity in children is on the rise--click to read about it http://familyeducation.com/article/0,1120,2-22626,00.html

à        Children's blood pressure is on the rise as mentioned in the 'Bay Area Parent', Feb. 2002.  Visit http://www.parenthood.com and request a copy.

à        Physician James Gordon says: "Low deep breathing is probably the single best anti-stress medicine we have. . .The abdomen should expand during inhalation to provide the optimum amount of oxygen needed to nourish all the cells in the body.  The average breathing rate is 15-16 cycles per minute but with training it can be reduced to 7 or 8."

 

The amazing body!!! We keep learning how it works. . .Why not teach it to our children during those early impressionable years?  Next month we'll talk about foods that help rather than hinder our heath!

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THE "Attitude Doc's" AGENDA

 

For those of you who may not have met her, Alexandra, "the attitude doc" is a nationally recognized speaker, conducting keynotes and workshops to help "prepare a child for life" and to encourage the exploration of our attitudes, beliefs and choices.  Additionally, she has a transpersonal practice (integrating the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of our nature) in Sun Valley, ID, where she utilizes leading edge protocols to assist her clients to make monumental strides in minimal time.  She is available for your organization, corporation, or for you personally, and we welcome your calls at 800.745.3170.  Or, visit our web site at http://www.abcfeelings.com/dralexandra.html.  If you're in the following areas, drop by and participate in a workshop, listen in on a lecture, or pick up your favorite ABC Feelings products.  If you would like to schedule a workshop or meet with Dr. Alexandra in your area, please call 800.745.3170

 

                                   

April 20, Pocatello AEYC--Idaho

June 24-26, Int'l Center for Character Education, San Diego, CA

208.762.3177 for information

 

Gene will be exhibitng products at the following areas:

June 29-July 2, 2002 American School Counselor Assn. Conference,

Miami, FL

 

 

and ©--

 

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the end . . . for now

:)