Today's elementary level from the curriculum LOVE WILL GUIDE US focused on our sixth Unitarian Universalist Source of beliefs, expressed in children's language as "the harmony of nature and the sacred circle of life." We heard a winter solstice story in which the sun has grown tired and rises for shorter and shorter times each day. The children of earth re-energize it by expressing their gratitude for all the sun gives. In return, the sun regains its energy and vigor and begins to shine ever more brightly, longer and longer each day.
The children also brainstormed things they didn't like, and things they were grateful for. And finally, together we created an acrostic for the word THANKS that expressed things we are grateful for.
Gratitude is a spiritual orientation connected to the experience of joy and the practice of generosity. How can you expand upon today's teachings at home? One way is to set aside a time every day or every week for sharing gratitude. Light a candle and give each person an opportunity to name what they are thankful for. Or set a shallow dish of water on a table and give each person a pebble or glass gem. As they share what they are grateful for, they can place the pebble in the water. Or place a large twig in a vase, give each person a paper cutout leaf or flower and have them write something they are grateful for, then hang it on the branches. This could also be created on a piece of posterboard and displayed on the wall.
Explore with your child how the rhythms of nature support our life, and how the lessons we learn can be a guiding star pointing the way to love.
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