Into Your Imagination: Quote by Taylor Swift and Relaxation Exercise

I made this for my kids...and all other kids needing comfort. 

"We were able to escape to that place anytime we had a hard time. Any time you're going through something rough, you can go back into your imagination and you're at Disney World." -- Taylor Swift, as a child she and her brother Austin would imagine they were at Disney World. Source: I'm waiting for my prince! Taylor Swift stuns as Rapunzel in new Disney ad

Using your imagination can be a powerful tool to help cope with stress (cramming for a test, meeting new friends, working through family problems, etc). 

                                           Even Rapunzel needs to take a deeep breath!

Here's one easy exercise to use your imagination to reduce stress and anxiety, and help you feel better:

1) Take 3 deep breaths, breathe slowly through your nose and out through your mouth. 
NOTE: If taking a breath is hard for you, make a sound that is comforting or funny like a snake's hisssss (in deep breath, out hissss) or a train noise (my toddler loves this, in deep breath, out chooo chooo). Be creative with your sounds, and willing to try new things!

2) Listening to music, nature sounds or sitting in silence may also help you relax. A lava lamp, water fountain, or Dream Lite may also be helpful. Maybe lay on a pile of pillows. Or cuddle up under a fleece blanket. 

3) Close your eyes and imagine the scene in full detail... if you are at Disney World, imagine your feet touching the cobbled paths, the sun shining on your shoulders. Smell the buttery popcorn being sold at a street vendor. Imagine yourself walking toward the castle, the excitement to discover what is inside...Cinderella greets you at the door in her glittery blue dress, greeting you like an old friend...the creaky castle door opens...  Imagine!

4) Enjoy the scene for a few minutes then slowly open your eyes. Take a few deep breaths in and out. This time say something positive to yourself like: I am going to be okay. Today is going to be a great day. I am awesome. I will do fine on my test. I am lovable. etc. Take a few minutes to come back--stretch, wiggle your toes, turn on music etc. Then stand and get ready to face the world and it's adventures!

5) If you have done a relaxation exercise or other coping skills and your day is still tough or things are not going the way you wanted, that's okay! You don't have to make things perfect, the point is to get to a place where you feel calm and confident. Being able to cope with challenges in a positive way is a way cool :) And sometimes, you may need to ask a grown up for extra help. 

Other ways to deal with stress:

*Laugh - Watch a funny video/TV show. Hang out with friends. Tell a joke. Etc
*Play with your pets or go for a walk with your dog.
*Listen to upbeat, positive music. Dance. Sing. Listen to Music with friends. Sing in the car. 
*Pray. Read a Bible or devotional. Go to Youth Group or Church Groups. 
*Exercise or play sports. Rollerblade. Go for a walk. Hang out at the park with friends. 
*Journal or draw. Scrapbook. Collect Stickers. 
*Get plenty of sleep at night.
*Ask for help from an adult.

Any more ideas?? Please leave a comment below!

Best Wishes ~ Daylen Swift

                Ariel wasn't always a stunning mermaid... she went to high school too! xoxo


                                  For Bear.. Disney Princess as Marvel Characters... 

Lunch with Love: Chinese Billionaire Invites Homeless to Dine in Central Park

An inspiring story... 

June 25, 2014: Chinese billionaire, Chen Guangbiao, founder and chairman of Jiangsu Huangpu Renewable Resources Limited Company, wants to build a "charity army" of wealthy Chinese who will give their profits back to the needy, and use their money to help better society.

Chen was raised in an impoverished family, farmers living in in Sihong County in east China's Jiangsu Province. Conditions were so dire that a brother and a sister starved to death when Chen was 4 years old. At age 10, Chen began to help support his family by selling water. Chen worker his way through college and also helped pay for the tuition of other children in his village. By the age of 17, Chen started his own "foodstuffs" business., and later went on to college. Chen is known for his patriotism, and for his charity.
For More About Chen: Wikipedia Chen Guangbiao

Chen is making a contribution in New York City where he has invited 250 "poor and destitute" Americans to a meal in Central Park and will also donate money to help local charities. The guests were residents of the New York Rescue Mission Shelter (the oldest shelter in the nation). Guests dined at the exquisite Loeb Boathouse in Central Park where they dined on sesame-seed-encrusted tuna, beef filet and berries with crème fraiche. Volunteers served the food in the charity army uniform-- green Chinese military style uniforms with a badge that said "Serve the People". Chen entertained his guests by performing magic tricks and singing "We Are the World". 

"Our thought was if someone wants to treat them to an amazing event - something they would never experience on their own, maybe even a kernel of hope that life could be different again, we're in for that reason. That's our motive," said Craig Mayes, the  executive director of the Rescue Mission.

This is more than just charity, as those participating will become a positive example for the world to learn from... Chen hopes that donating the meal will show other tycoons that there is more to life than “luxury goods, gambling and prostitution”. Chen also hopes his work will improve relations between the US and China. 

-- Daylen Swift, June 2014

For More Info: "Chinese billionaire invites 1,000 poor Americans for lunch in Central Park" by Tim Phillips, "The Province"

Chen Guangbiao Hosts Lunch for Homeless New Yorkers: NBC News

Memories of NYC... 

I visited New York City a long time ago with my son, Bear. I remember how strange it was that homeless people would sleep on the sidewalks and people would just step over them, like speed bumps. I was fascinated by the street artists--the break dancers, cartoonists, mimes, singers and a musician who played a Chines flute. I also remember visiting Central Park and seeing a little girl who was amazed to see a squirrel and was yelling excitedly as the small creature dashed by. 
On the Long Island ferry, Bear smiled shyly at a small girl with doe-like brown eyes and long braids. I remember thinking about the sea of people we had passed on our vacation, and wondering the children would ever cross paths again. They played briefly, during the boat ride.
I also remember visiting the Statue of Liberty, and that Bear threw his pacifier into the harbor. It was his contribution to history, grin.
I love you kids, and look forward to many more adventures with you!

xoxox Mommy xoxoxox

I love 1,222,222,222,00,000 + 0 = U !!

PMA International "Love Letters to Our Children" - from a Mother's Heart to her Child

I found this really cool online site where Mothers (and Kids too!) can post letters, pictures and inspirational videos for their children as a way to express their love.The project is called "Love Letters to Our Children" and is hosted by Protective Mothers Alliance International. 

About "Love Letters to Our Children"- "PMA International’s Mothers/Advocates are working heart-to-heart and hand-to-hand with PMA INTL’s Network Hear Us Now!! (H.U.N) to educate and communicate the deep love a mother has for her child. Our intention is to help the moms express their deep devoted love for their children, and help strengthen the mother/child bond, moving their relationship forward in a loving and positive way. This page is for protective mothers to express their love for their children."

Our collective mother hearts shout out to the heavens and aim straight towards our children’s hearts with beautiful words filled with tenderness, devotion and deep, powerful love. Create an original letter or poem for your child. If you are not part of this important PMA International event, please join us. Our blog reaches all across the internet and has over 10 thousand hits and is growing every day. Your words of love to your child will pass the test of time and remain on the internet, for all to see..."

What are "Love Letters"? "Love letters are positive affirmations sent to children who have been impacted by family court and/or CPS rulings that have caused disruption in their lives, or estrangement from their mothers. Love Letters are general messages that convey hope, expressions of affection, and validation that these children are not forgotten--but are cherished and loved. Love Letters similarly provide support to the Moms and the family and friends affected. For safety reasons,we strong suggest these messages remain anonymous, but we are confident that the intent and spirit of each letter will relay a powerful, and positive message when viewed."

Posting Guidelines: "Please post pictures, quotes, videos or other general messages that relay a positive message, or offer support.

DO NOT post any information which may identify you (if possible) most important please do not identify your minor child /children including legal name, location, etc Please do not use your child’s name or your name in this process. We suggest ,you use only initials. You may post positive, quotes, poems, songs pictures and message for your child. Please keep your posts general."

Visit "Love Letters" Online: PMA International: Love Letters to Our Children

Join "Love Letters" on Facebook: Love Letters to Our Children Facebook

An inspiring post shared on "Love Letters".... "Mother's Day Video Mighty" by JourneyBox Media

Also posted on: http://lisajobaker.com/2013/10/you-are-mighty-because-you-mother/

Broken: A Song for a Grieving Heart (Seether feat. Amy Lee)

For the grieving heart

whether it be a lost love, 

a dream beyond reach 

or a lost child... 

"I wanted you to know I love the way you laugh
I want to hold you high and steal your pain away
I keep your photograph...

'Cause I'm broken when I'm open
And I don't feel like I am strong enough
'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away.."

"Broken" Seether feat Amy Lee (Evanescence) 
Writer(s): Shaun Morgan, Dale Stewart
Released March 2004.