Networks for Training and Development, Inc. 0:04 This recording is an offering of Networks for Training and Development's Online University. Rosa McAllister 0:19 Hi, this is Rosa McAllister. And it's our time for our Healing Circle Call. It is the first Monday of the month when we do this, where folks can just call in anonymously to join us for just a few minutes of thinking together, breathing together, holding space with one another. And being there for one another. This month is a little different. I'm sitting outside as you might hear, the wind is blowing, trade winds we call it, and it's a blustery, beautiful day here in Maui, Hawaii. And I'm sitting by the pool. You might hear myna birds in the background. You might hear the wind, and you might hear screeching kids, because today's the first day of summer vacation. Rosa McAllister 1:08 So in thinking about what I wanted to do today with you, and leading this call, but this date today for me was just a fun, first day of summer. Now, most people think, you know, here in Maui, Hawaii, but Rosa you summer all the time and we do weather wise and kind of attitude wise and certainly clothing wise. But somehow that first day of summer, school's out for summer kind of idea just rings true. And so here I am sitting by the pool with my two beloved grandkids, frolicking and playing exuberantly because it's the first day of summer. School is out. I have Ethan and Olivia with me here today. Overnight for sleep over at Tutu's, as I'm known, and all day tomorrow, just to play and have fun and to celebrate. And here I sit by the pool as they're splashing and grabbing each other and jumping and frolicking and laughing and screaming. We've got peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, peanut butter and honey sandwiches out here we're having a picnic by the by the pool, and just loving up the day. When what kind of memories does that bring back for you just hearing this and thinking about this? When I say first day of summer, what does that bring to mind for you? Rosa McAllister 2:43 What are your memories of being seven or eight? School is out. Rosa McAllister 2:49 You have a couple of weeks months off until school comes back in September. And what does that mean for you? What did you do during your summer breaks? What did you do for fun? What did you wear? What did you think about? How did you spend your days? Rosa McAllister 3:11 For some of us, it might have been going to the beach, or going to the mountains, camping or go to camp. For some of us it might have been just playing with friends or brothers and sisters and cousins. For some of us, it might be all kinds of different memories. For some maybe it wasn't that much different... might not be that different at all from every day. Rosa McAllister 3:35 And for some of us it was a completely different break away from things. But whatever it was for you, I want you to think about: first day of summer. What that meant for you when you were seven or eight years old. What did it look like? What kind of memories comes to mind for you? When you think about that, take a couple minutes... Rosa McAllister 3:58 Remember. Rosa McAllister 4:00 Breathe. Rosa McAllister 4:03 Remember. Rosa McAllister 4:09 Now, I want you to think about you of today... Rosa McAllister 4:13 whether you're 20-something or 30-something or 40-something or 50-something, 60-something or 70-something or whatever something you are. Rosa McAllister 4:22 When I say first day of summer, what does it mean for you now? What kind of thoughts come to mind. For some of us, it's the instant smell of sunscreen, Rosa McAllister 4:35 or the sound of the ocean Rosa McAllister 4:38 or the sound of the ice cream truck ringing it's bell as it drives around the corner. Rosa McAllister 4:46 For some of us, it's sleeping late. Rosa McAllister 4:49 For some of us, it's just sitting under a tree or listening to music or sweating Rosa McAllister 4:58 or popsicles. Rosa McAllister 5:01 or who knows what. Rosa McAllister 5:04 What's it mean for you? When you think about not just your memory, but you're today and who you are today. Rosa McAllister 5:12 And now the real question is: Rosa McAllister 5:15 Who you are today... how much of that seven or eight year old of yesteryear is still in there? I'm a lot taller than I used to be. That's for sure. My hair is a different color than it used to be when I was seven or eight. But I still wear shorts, and I still wear flip flops. And I still wear a bathing suit as much as I can. And I still play a lot, mostly because I have these amazing two grandkids that helped me to play and remember, but also because I know how important it is to play. Rosa McAllister 5:52 I dance every day. Rosa McAllister 5:55 And I run and I skip and I do all kinds of things. And yeah, I treat myself by allowing myself to eat my favorite foods, even if they're not particularly great for me. Just even if it's once in a while, how much of that kid... that seven or eight year old you, still exists within you? ...And more important... how could you bring back that seven or eight year old kid... that seven or eight year old you? How could you bring yourself back into who you are today. Rosa McAllister 6:29 Research and studies show over and over that the more joyous we are, the longer we live, and the better we live. The more productive we are. And joyousness usually comes from playing and being happy and being silly. So, seven or eight year olds are usually pretty darn joyous. Pretty silly, pretty happy. Certainly not 100% of the time, but most of the time. So how could you bring back more of you... more of that silly kid into your life today? I don't care how busy you are, I don't care how important you are, I don't care whatever. Rosa McAllister 7:14 The most successful people, the happiest people - study after study shows - are those that play and those that treat themselves well. So I want you to think very seriously, what are three things you could do today? Or tomorrow? Maybe once a week, whatever, build it into your schedule, build it into you. Write it into your calendar, make it happen. What are three easy, simple, no permission needed, free or very cheap things that you could do to bring that that seven or eight year old kid in you? Rosa McAllister 7:56 Think about it. Number one, is it something that you could wear or something that you could do, or something that you could eat, or something that you could say, or somewhere where you could go... What could it be? One simple, easy, cheap thing that you could do to bring more play, and more silly kids stuff into your life. Rosa McAllister 8:18 Number two. What's something that you could do that not could bring silly into your life, but joy? Something that you could do that could bring more joy into your life? Again, the rule is, it has to be simple. It has to be easy to do. And it has to be cheap. No permission needed by anybody doesn't cost much of anything. You can just do it. They're the big ticket items in life oftentimes. What could you do something that not only would be silly, that's number one, and bring the kid back in you. But number two, could bring you joy. Rosa McAllister 8:54 And number three, what's something you could do today or tomorrow, you could do with some regularity that could show other people around you that you are joyful. Rosa McAllister 9:06 So it's not just being silly. Being kid like being childish and childlike, having fun. It's not just finding more joy, and feeling more joy, but it's showing others more joy. Because when we show others more joy, it's more likely that the contagion factor will happen, and will infect other people and they too, will find more joy in their life. Rosa McAllister 9:34 Wouldn't you love to be known by others as being joyful? Wouldn't you love if people when they thought of you said she is someone who is just so much fun? Or he is someone who I love to be around? He just makes me feel good. Or she's someone who just enjoys life. You can just see it in her... or he's someone that just glows, he glows and he carries that glow with him. Rosa McAllister 10:05 You could be that maybe you already are that... you could be more. So three things again, your homework. Rosa McAllister 10:12 What could you do today tomorrow, building to your regular whatever your regular life. Three things you could do... Rosa McAllister 10:19 Number one: that brings back that seven or eight year old, joyful, silly kid in you. Rosa McAllister 10:25 Number two: something that you could do regularly that brings joy to you. Rosa McAllister 10:32 And three: something that you could do on a regular basis. Very easy, very simply costs no money or it's very cheap. And you don't have to ask permission from anybody. But something that shows other people joy. Rosa McAllister 10:47 We'll talk again next month, first Monday of the month. 8pm East Coast time, 2pm my time here in Maui. I love you all. Thanks for listening in and go jump In the pool or have some fun and enjoy the first day of summer. Networks for Training and Development, Inc. 11:07 Thank you for listening. We hope the information provided was helpful. Don't forget to stop by our website and take advantage of all we have to offer. Transcribed by https://otter.ai