Positive Thinking

POSITIVE THINKING FOR KIDS

By Marneta Viegas

While Jamie Oliver is watching what goes into children’s mouths, Relax Kids helps what goes into their minds.

We can probably all remember the victorian style of teaching where we would have to repeat one hundred lines – I will not…. I will not…., after a bout of indiscretion. This system of repeating a thought was meant to drive deep into the child’s psyche. I’m sure there were few re-offenders as sore ink-stained fingers were a good deterrent.

The system of repeating a more positive set of words has been slowly developing mainly in pockets of lentil-eating and sandal and sock-wearing communities. Louise Hay has brought the simple but effective system of using affirmations into the main stream. After being diagnosed with cancer she used positive affirmations to totally heal herself and went on to write twenty seven books on the fascinating subject.

The theory goes that our bodies almost listen to our thoughts and whatever we think about ourselves, the body responds. Whatever we believe about in ourselves – it usually manifests. I always believed that I was the fattest in the class. Even as a teenager, I believed I was too big really to be on stage as a dancer. I was constantly hounding myself with thoughts of low self image and esteem, repeating to myself I am too fat I am too fat. And yet when I see my stage costumes of fifteen years ago – they are tiny. I was never too big – I just believed I was and so this became my reality and over the years I put on weight.

As a children’s entertainer, I found it very disturbing when other clowns would gain cheap laughs by singling out children and calling them silly sausage or stupid. It might seem harmless, but when we understand that the subconscious doesn’t understand lies and jokes, then we can see that these words are going inside these little minds and helping them shape their reality. Children have powerful imaginations and we need to instil this positivity into their young minds.

I have seen children literally shrivel as stressed-out adults have lashed out at them in the aisle of busy supermarkets. As a child, I remember behaving badly as a way

get attention. Of course the attention that this type of behaviour attracts is not really what they desire. Children need love and love-filled communication. They are constantly looking to adults as role models for these positive qualities. Being a child is quite simple. It is about needing to feel love and safe, happy and secure.

And yet our lives are so busy and erratic, sometimes there isn’t the time to ponder on these vital needs. The use of affirmations gives children a chance to delve into the beauty of their inner qualities and so enhancing their confidence and self-esteem. Children respond so well to positive comments. They thrive in positive atmospheres. We all remember how wonderful it was receiving star or well done stickers on out primary workbooks. I remember days when I practically floated out of the school feeling so pleased with my efforts and happy that someone had noticed.

You are SPECIAL !