When do we change?

I sang at my first elementary school today. I've done small performances before, but just one or two songs. Today was my first official program.

I talked with the kids about folk music, and troubadours and Pete Seeger, and it was awesome. (Thank goodness, because I was super nervous! Who knew 7 year-olds could be so intimidating?)

But these kids are kings and queens of the just be nice party.

Seeing these sweet faces look up at me as we sang about peace and hope- I thought- when do we turn?

When do we change into cynical people?

And can we change back?

I believe we can.

And I believe we owe it to our kids to be more like them in that way.

When talking about taking care of the planet, they came up with idea after idea of how we can conserve energy and produce less waste.

There was no political debate on global warming.

When we talked about ways that we can all look out for one another, they had such genuinely kind things to say- and other students nodded in agreement.

There was no discussion of whether or not the person in need deserved our help.

This openness should be celebrated and encouraged, not squashed out.

Let's be more like the second graders at Osborn Hill today. They are my new heroes.

Be kind, Kristen

Realize your Beauty Day!

I almost forgot! Today is Realize Your Beauty Day.

So- I hope you realize today and everyday that you are beautiful.

Celebrate yourself today and take the beauty pledge!

Also- please enjoy my friend, Lara's song, 'You Are Beautiful'. She's so talented, and this is one of my favorite songs of hers.

Stay awesome, and yes, you're beautiful, Kristen

Sunshine on my shoulder

I'm not sure if you've had a chance to get outside today, or if you're even having a sunny day... (If you are- stop reading and get outside!) I just spent the most wonderful hours walking around in Vermont, snacking a bit, shopping a bit, and the feeling of having nowhere that I needed to be, and having no need for my watch, was unbelievable.

I don't feel that way often, which is why I think I was so struck by its wonderful-ness.

I so hope that you get a chance to do that this weekend as well.

Enjoy, Kristen

Ps...the cover of the new notebook that I just bought - more new songs to come soon!

Ohm.

There is a yoga class that I love to take. It's at 9:30 on Thursday mornings. (In Westport if you'd like to join me!) It's relaxing to start, kills me somewhere in the middle, reminds me that flexibility is fun, inspires me to try head stands, and then relaxes me again at the end.

I leave a bit of a sweaty mess, but feel amazingly clean, and really peaceful.

I want this peace for so many people. It's why I thought bringing yoga mats to the reservation would be a good idea. It's why I annoy Bryan to come to classes with me (I've succeeded exactly once.)

In these moments, right after leaving class, I find empathy for evangelists and fundamentalist Christians. I've met and dealt with a lot of born-again missionaries through the work that I love to do with Simply Smiles. We agree on certain things and disagree on most others.

But if what they feel about religion is as peaceful as I feel when leaving this yoga class, I can almost understand a bit better.

Replacing one hot topic with another...

I think that all world leaders need to get into yoga. And I think it will change the world. And maybe end a war or two, or all.

Peace and Just Be Nice!

(A pretty tree for you to peacefully daydream in...)