Hi and welcome to Rain of Self-Compassion for Kids.
Sometimes our emotions are all over the place and we feel like a big thunderstorm has hit us.
You're having a great day,
Sunny and bright,
When suddenly something happens and it just takes away our sunshine.
Can you imagine walking around with a little rain cloud hovering over your head all day?
Maybe you failed a test at school and now you're angry with yourself.
Or your friend said something really mean to you.
Or there's a really bossy kid in your class that makes you feel afraid.
You'll be surprised to know that sometimes us adults feel exactly the same way.
Like you.
We feel as if we cannot escape this rain cloud.
It drenches us everywhere we go.
We drive to work and this cloud is there.
We have a cup of coffee and this cloud is there.
But there's a little secret that I want to share with you.
You control the magic wand that brings the sunshine back into your life.
As much as plants and every other living creature need the rain in our lives to nourish our roots,
We also need the sun to grow.
So let's break it down.
What is rain?
The R in rain stands for recognize.
The A in rain stands for allow.
The I in rain is for investigate.
And the N in rain is for non-identification.
So years where your magic wand comes in.
Each time you have a feeling or an emotion that pops up but doesn't want to leave you and hovers like this heavy dark rain cloud,
Start zapping your imaginary wand and break the cloud down.
R stands for recognize.
What's happening right now?
What am I feeling?
What's happening in this moment for me?
Where do I feel these emotions or sensations in my body?
So I'm angry with my friend for leaving me at the lunch table.
Or I'm angry with myself for failing the test.
I should have worked harder.
Let's zap A,
Allow.
I don't like these feelings and thoughts.
But I can allow it to just be here.
I'm so upset.
I feel like exploding.
I hate how it makes my body feel.
Let's zap I,
Investigate,
With kindness,
As if you would to a friend.
Why do I feel this way?
What are these thoughts trying to tell me?
What are these feelings trying to tell me?
I'm so angry and I feel like exploding and crying.
It's okay.
I can allow myself to feel these emotions.
These are normal emotions that every human being experiences.
Let's zap N,
Non-identification.
I am not my thoughts or emotions.
I am allowed to have them and I recognize them.
But it does not define who I am.
I can feel it but don't need to be it.
You've just zapped away your cloud.
Now,
While your cloud may not be completely gone,
Remember,
Go on and let your sun shine.
This is where the magic happens.
This is where growth happens.
We need this standpoint in our lives.
It allows our blossoms to flourish into beautiful,
Bright flowers.
Go and find your sun.
Feel it but don't be it.
