Play – The Owl’s Nest

The Self-Care R’s of Human Hibernation

January 1, 2023December 30, 2024 Renee

We don’t need the New Year as an excuse to change habits, resolutions are so outdated, especially when we change our habits & goals throughout the year to fit our needs & growth.

Being that January is in mid-winter, try this instead:

“The Self-Care R’s of Human Hibernation“

Rest, Relaxation, Reflection, Recharge, Rebalance, Renew, & Rejuvenation.

Take time to not make any major plans or activities for the month, if you can, or just the bare minimum. (If you can’t this month, pick another month out of the year. It doesn’t necessarily have to be in January, it’s just a suggestion.) Vacation time is usually the perfect time. Even just for a week or two.

● Rest & Relax your whole being. I’m sure we all still have work and families to take care of, but in the evenings put off anything that is not of importance and just rest and relax into the evenings with a cup of tea, (or drink of your choice,) and a good read, mindful coloring, or a small, relaxing hobby.

● Do some inner Reflection, get in touch with your higher self, meditate, and/or journal. Maybe even write a poem or short story. Take a walk by yourself in nature, sit in nature, get inspired.

● While in nature (unplugged from all electronics) walk barefoot, do some earthing/grounding, to Recharge, Rebalance & Renew your heart, spirit, mind, and soul. (You can read about this more in my post on being barefoot)

● Rejuvenate your body, mind, and spirit. Get in touch with your inner child. Explore and play with your mind: pick up a new hobby, or an old one that you’ve pushed aside, even a childhood one. Play with your body: take Epsom salt baths, add some essential oils, do some Yoga, Pilates, dance, or other form of exercise. Try something new like Reiki or Chakra healing. Give into yourself and allow the sensual touch, not sexual, sensual. (If you want it to be sexual, by all means, go for it! There’s nothing wrong with a little self-pleasure. Orgasms do relieve stress.) Caress different parts of your body, face, arms, legs, to add to your relaxation, or even massage, like your neck or feet. Add that romance for yourself, it doesn’t always have to be with a partner. Dim or turn of lights and use candles, curtain or twinkle lights, incense or an essential oil diffuser, add some Hygge to your environment. Listen to some light jazz, binaural beats, or ambient music. Music is very beneficial for healing and self-care.

Your soul will thank you.

You may even pick up a new habit or rhythm that you will carry on daily, weekly, or monthly.

And always remember, self-care is good for our health and well-being. It’s important, emotionally, mentally, physically, sensually, and spiritually. We have to care for ourselves before we can care for others. There’s no use in trying to from an empty vessel.

Children's Play, Connection, Early Childhood, Education, Life, Mindfulness, Philosophy, Play, Poetry, Self-Care, Spiritual

A World Without Play?

November 14, 2022December 10, 2022 Renee

What would it be like in a world without play?

Wouldn’t it be boring, dull, dark, and gray?

What would we see when we looked around?

No shapes, patterns, nor colors would be found?

There wouldn’t be any grief or any sorrow.

There wouldn’t be any hope for tomorrow.

No hobbies, no interests, there’d be no joy.

No games or toys, for adults, girls and boys.

No curiosity or wonder, no where to wander.

There wouldn’t be anything for us to ponder.

No creativity and no imagination.

No inventions, nor great explorations.

No books to read or stories to write.

Would we even have both day and night?

In a world without play, what would happen to all of creation?

Wouldn’t we lose all of our sensation?

Wouldn’t we lose all of our emotions?

And what would happen to all of Earth’s oceans?

What would happen to all creatures, both big and small?

Wouldn’t all of nature just crumble and fall?

Would we be able to see, hear, taste, smell, and feel?

How would we know what could or could not be real?

We would have no knowing, no intuition.

No sense of belonging, no connection, or even religion.

No beliefs, philosophy, or any spirituality.

We wouldn’t even have any sexuality.

We would not be fully conscious,

Have no awareness to fully process.

What would happen inside of our brain?

Wouldn’t we all just go insane?

Howard Gardner, Mildred Parton and B.F. Skinner,

Erick and Joan Erickson, and Bronfenbrenner,

John Dewey, Vygotsky, and Jean Piaget,

What would they all have to say?

“The Father of Kindergarten,” Friedrich Froebel,

Most likely would say that we live in Hell.

Malaguzzi, Gerber, Steiner, and Montessori,

What would happen to all of their theories?

Has anyone read or listened to Dr. Peter Gray?

What would he think of a world without play?

Or what about Einstein, Freud, or Carl Jung,

Doctors Stuart Brown, Walter Drew, or Sir Kenneth Robinson?

Without any of these many theories,

Where would they, or all of us be?

Would there even be any education?

Would we have any communication?

Play isn’t measured on standardized tests,

But play is how we all learn the best.

In a world without play, there’d be no careers.

From physicians, lawyers, construction, and all engineers,

To teachers and healers, artists and musicians,

Even military, government, good and bad politicians.

We need to shout it out loud, for all to hear.

“Play is nothing that we need to fear.”

Millions have talked and wrote about play.

It’s not something that will just go away.

From doctors, professors, and scholars,

To many theorists and philosophers,

Even spiritual leaders, mystics, and seers.

There are so many play pioneers.

Our children are here to remind,

That play can be so easy to find.

Look within and let out your inner child

To find strength, calm, and your wild.

Play is structured in our DNA.

It’s innate, it’s natural, for us to play.

It’s part of our spiritual and human design.

To move, dance, love, and to explore our mind.

It is definitely time to shift the play paradigm.

Play is the revolution.

Play is part of the solution.

Play is part of our evolution.

In play, we find our purpose, passion, our role.

That is our meaning, that is our goal.

It’s not possible to have a world without play.

This is what drives us each day.

Play is for all of us, from birth to old age.

We need play in order to survive.

We need it in order to thrive.

Play is what helps us all feel alive.

Play is for learning, our health and well-being.

Play is what gives our lives full of meaning.

So, you see, play is something that we cannot resist.

Because, in a world without play we wouldn’t exist…

Children's Play, Connection, Early Childhood, Education, Play, Spiritual

Children Are Spiritual Beings Teaching Us New Things

August 28, 2022August 29, 2022 Renee

Our children are coming into the world with new gifts & new perspectives, they have been for many years. Some are calling them starseeds, indigos, crystals, lightworkers, empaths, etc. They may even be labeled/diagnosed with Autism, ADHD, ODD, etc. Many of these children have a high spiritual intelligence, as well. This is the time to consciously awaken to all of the possibilities.

“They are here bringing in specific energies to assist in the awakening process, awareness of our traumas, the healing process, and higher consciousness.” ~Agata Dela Cruz

Our children’s souls have chosen their paths, their parents, guardians, teachers, and other caregivers. Even their soul lessons that will play out in their lifetime. They may even be lessons from past lives. They’re here to work on those lessons. These lessons may show up as challenges, obstacles, and restrictions. Many of their behaviors may cause us some concern, but those challenges are part of a larger lesson their soul chose to overcome. Some of these experiences will require them to get through it alone, some will need our nurturing and guidance. They also need our patience, compassion, understanding, and empathy.

It is the time truly listen to them, really see them for who they are, honor & respect them. Connect with them. It is up to us to nurture & guide them, allow them to play, to discover & explore themselves, to explore their imagination & curiosity. We are co-travelers in their world to learn with them & from them. Which reminds me of these great quotes I included below.

“When a child comes into your life, it is time to relearn life, not teach them your ways.” ~Sadhguru

As parents, guardians, and teachers, while we’re teaching our children how to be human, they’re here reminding and teaching us that we’re spiritual beings capable of many things. They are our teachers, as well. When we start to truly connect with them deeply, they help us learn who we really are, as they remind us of our own childhoods, to heal, to keep our wonder & curiousity alive, to stay in touch with our inner child.

It’s time to Go DEEP, Discover, Explore, Evolve, Play, and open your mind. ~💖Renée

Children's Play, Early Childhood, Education, Play

What Do You Call an Early Childhood Center?

July 8, 2021August 3, 2021 Renee

When you see the word preschool what comes to mind? Many will agree it’s a center for young children to attend and to learn, a place for early childhood education. Preschool should be exactly as it is written – BEFORE school, prior to school – but it seems as though many have lost the meaning of it.

Mindful Eating

November 30, 2020February 10, 2021 Renee

If you’re mindful about what you eat, how you eat, and when you eat, you don’t need to diet.
-Renée

I figured this would be good topic to discuss right after the Thanksgiving holiday and right before the winter holidays and festivities. Mindful eating.

Most of us stuff ourselves, gain weight, then work hard to get it back off through spring up to summer. We bring mindfulness to our daily lives from taking breaks, having mindful minutes, breathing, and meditation. So, why not just take a step back and bring mindfulness to our eating habits. Not just through this time of year, but all year around.

We listen to advertisements and others opinions what’s good or bad for us and what’s healthy or not. We all know what is and what isn’t by now. If we just listen to our body we can manage to eat better, healthier, and wiser. It’s all about knowing what your body needs at the right time. It’s about what you eat, how you eat, and when you eat. Even throwing in some kind of detoxing and/or fasting routine for the unhealthy stuff we consume.

Along with this, be mindful during mealtimes. Instead of “your eyes being bigger than your stomach,” eating too fast, or scarfing down your food, take the time and slow down. Enjoy your food. Get the right portions your body needs. Take in all the essence of the food with your senses. Feel the textures and listen to it as you’re preparing it, the cutting of the knive into the vegetables you might be slicing or the sounds it’s making while it’s cooking. Feel the difference of textures from raw to cooked. When looking at it, notice the colors of the food. Smell the food, smell all the ingredients/spices you might be adding to your dish. Then of course, as you’re eating, slowly taste each ingredient as it enters your mouth. Notice the texture of the food in your mouth. This is a good way to slow children down that are fast eaters and want to shove their faces.

At meal times you can discuss what they think it smells like, what colors they see on their plate, and what they think it tastes like. I’ve done this with groups of children I’ve had in the past and currently. They really delight in it, it gives them a chance to talk while enjoying their food at meal times. They’re actually learning a lot doing this, as well. From using their senses, learning colors (for the young,) to social skills. It may even ease them into trying new foods. Make it a new habit, or add it to your mealtime ritual.

Another thing I would like to add, it’s okay to play with your food, respectfully. For children, as long as they’re still eating, there’s nothing wrong with them playing a little, they’re learning through their senses about their food.