Autumn is well and truly here - nights are drawing in, the beautiful bronze leaves are beginning to fall, and hats are being brought out of storage. I really enjoy this time of year, but at times, when the sky is dull and we have yet more rain, it can really start to effect how I feel on the inside. I was looking through some planning the other morning and this beautiful, yet simplistic quote, jumped out at me - 'When you can't find the sunshine, be the sunshine,' it was just what I needed! These simple words made me reconsider my outlook, I was able to pick myself up with this simple thought - I can decide how I want to feel right now. I can choose to be the sunshine for me, and others around me. This imagery is wonderful to use with children during mindfulness practice. The idea that they, as individuals, have the power to choose how they feel, regardless of what it happening around them, is a biggie! We can begin to empower our children to take responsibility for their behaviour, to help them to understand that all feelings have a place, and that they can choose whether to react or respond, even though it doesn't always feel like it. With regular practice, we can all learn to regulate our feelings. Remember...you can be the SUNSHINE!

Creating your own space is an important practice of mindfulness - it can help children to settle by visualising a bubble.