Gifts From the Heart

Last week during one of my classes, a very smart little yogi taught us all a lesson in giving gifts from the heart.

During class we were playing the Thankful Flower Game, where we take turns passing a big plush flower around the circle, each child sharing with the group one thing that they are thankful for. During one little girls turn, she decided to tell a story instead, about the present she had in mind for her parents. She told me that she had a present she wanted to give, but it wasn't going to be something she would buy in a store, it was going to be a gift from the heart. Curious about what the gift was, and anxious for the other children to hear the story as well, I asked her to tell us more. She said she was going to help her parents do things that needed to be done such as washing dishes or doing laundry and making her bed. She was so happy about the idea of helping her parents out at home that you could feel her excitement as she spoke. I encouraged her idea by telling her and the whole group that gifts from the heart are the best kind of gifts you can give someone. She then added that she had another gift from the heart, a song that she would sing to her parents, and we were fortunate enough to get a sample of it.

It made me very happy to hear that even though children can sometimes get caught up in the appeal of material possessions, they can still recognize the power and importance of gifts from the heart.

I encourage you to share this story with your little yogi!