Champions of Self-Care
Over the past several years, I’ve been an advocate for suicide awareness. The byproduct of losing two brothers to despair has driven me to become involved in expanding dialogue and opening windows of acceptance for those who feel isolated or suffer from mental health burdens.
I’ve worked closely with those whose mission it is to eradicate the epidemic of suicide. The general consensus is that the most promising path to change the tide regarding this alarming trend is to reach the young. The incidence of suicide for those aged 13-25 is simply unacceptable. Each year, 5200 youth die by suicide. Yet, it’s here in this same age group that we see the greatest hope to make a difference. Hence, the big question is how do we connect with those who are preparing to launch into a bigger life? How do we instill tools to help prevent preteens and beyond from becoming lost into themselves in this vast and complicated world? Seeds of hopelessness tend to germinate when left unchecked.
A few weeks ago, I attended my granddaughter, Amelia’s 4th grade Muse Machine school program. Even before the performance began, I already loved it. There, standing side by side on bleachers in the school gym was the entire 4th grade class of Incarnation School in Centerville. The kids were excited, internally perhaps a bit nervous, but outwardly full of smiles, waves, and lots of eager chatter. The camaraderie was palpable. Their mission? Spread the message of how to care for yourself in a way that exudes love and acceptance. The program was entitled “Champions of Self-Care.”
I recently wrote about Muse Machine, a performing arts program whose mission is to bring the arts to elementary aged students all across the Miami Valley region. It offers week long residencies where Muse musicians and visual artists collaborate with teachers and students to create programs that incorporate all the varied disciplines of art for students to broaden their learning experiences. In this case, the 4th graders set out to proclaim for themselves how to live in the light of their best selves.
They rapped, rhymed and clapped their way through a tutorial in how to care for yourself physically, mentally and spiritually at home, in school, and in the community. They reminded us about the importance of speaking kindly to yourself, exercising, eating healthy and creating calm spaces for renewal. With attitude, they encouraged one another not to put too much pressure on themselves. They sang about how to share yourself with neighbors, serve others, and be kind. Maybe, they even suggested, you might want to plant a community garden! My favorite was their line about not going to the bathroom while in school simply because you want to get out of class.
As I watched their energy and listened to their messages of self-care, I thought if only every child could be part of this organic encouragement by a room full of 10-year-olds. My hope is they will remember the messages they so joyfully preached from the bleachers in a school gym; be your own champion of self-care. I know these kids will face challenges as they grow and become more invested in the big world where isolation and loneliness are but a smart phone scroll away. But maybe, just maybe, they will remember a very life-giving lesson they learned in 4th grade.
Once again, I applaud Muse Machine for having the creative vision to be out there with our kids, in the bleachers, where taking care of yourself can be pretty fun and entertaining. Indeed, they are the champions.