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Shirah Penn: Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2012 1:22 PM
This is definitely a very interesting period in my life...dealing with uncertainty and faith! First of all I must say that Will and I have had our house in foreclosure for a long time. We were waiting for the bank to tell us when we had to leave. We also decided to go for bankruptcy. This made it very difficult to find a place to rent. Just this morning we found out that the house we wanted to rent in Cooper City has accepted us. I hope all goes well. We will probably move in January or February. That is a relief. The other news I am sitting on is that this year when I went for my mammogram, they found a spot and so I was biopsied. They told me it is a small malignant area. I am going to see the breast surgeon on Jan. 3rd. So I suspect it isn't too serious as they are letting me wait. Hopefully, it will be a lumpectomy and no chemo. No matter what, I have so many tools and skills for self healing that I am not worried. I also have an amazing support community that all I have to do is reach out. I haven't wanted to share this news until I knew a little more about my next steps. However, it is not easy for me to keep a secret. However, if you are a healer please send me lots of light and healing energy! Thanks, Lots of love, Gramma Shirah |
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Shirah Penn: Posted on Sunday, December 16, 2012 1:13 PM
Gramma Shirah has so much to say today about the terrible murders in Newtown,Connecticut. As a retired schoolteacher who taught First Grade for many many years, my heart aches for this devastation. These beautiful children and loving staff members didn't deserve this. I guess if there is anything to be learned from this, we MUST stop this madness. We must teach our children to love each other and care about each other. We must respect life above all else. We need to learn how to handle anger and hatred so it doesn't fester. A young man shouldn't need to kill his mother and innocent people. I have always been afraid to speak out because I was afraid people would think I am weird and a little crazy because I look at things with sweetness and light, even though I know there is evil in the world. I refuse to focus on the evil. I wrote a song a long time ago called A World Safe for Children. It is my prayer that only we can make a world safe for children. We can ask for God's help to give us courage and strength , only we are in charge of what we do with our hatred. God can't do it for us. We need to take responsibility for our actions. I am appalled by the deviseness and hatred in our government. I can't believe that rich people are so greedy that they won't do their share in helping us get along. How much money does a billionaire need to live a decent life? Is it worth it? So my blog for today is to remind you to love each other and hug your children. To all those I know who are teaching love and who are lightworkers, let's unite! Love you, Gramma Shirah |
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Shirah Penn: Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 9:34 AM
Gramma Shirah wishes she could help beautiful young people realize early on how loved and needed they are to this Universe. I am saddened by the suicide attempt of a dear friend's daughter. I see how my own grandchildren are finding it difficult to cope with our troublesome times. I know how bumpy my own journey was along the way. I wish I could make it easier for them. As a wise "elder" woman, I know that I have some wisdom to impart. I just need to know how to get them to hear what I have to say. And yet I know we all have to find our own way. So actually this is a prayer to God for the wisdom to trust and let go of doing anything at all. Just being a source of comfort and light is the best thing I can be. |
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Shirah Penn: Posted on Saturday, November 24, 2012 7:37 AM
Gramma Shirah spent a wonderful Thanksgiving at her daughter Meryl's home with her son Adam, son in law Chris, granddaughter Marissa and grandson Devin. Will was with her as well. We had a delicious meal prepared by Boston Market and I really ate a lot. I wanted to spend more time sharing with the family but after everyone ate they all went their own way. I guess that's the way of modern families. I am glad that Devin has found a more constructive path since he has been living with Meryl. They are both in Christianity and that seems to be giving them solace and direction. I am learning many lessons that each family member must find their own path to God. I am still faithful to Judaism and believing in One God, however I am more inclined to relate to the teachings of Budhism. |
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Shirah Penn: Posted on Sunday, November 11, 2012 3:25 PM
Gramma Shirah is doing what she loves best. I am teaching little children my favorite subject. "Learning to love yourself is the greatest gift of all." So with a little story, a song or two, and an art activity we are learning how our mind, heart, and spirit work together to help us create a life of joy. Since we teach what we need to learn this has been my mission in this life to "get it right" LOL! and to teach little kids early on the tips and tools that I learned later in my life. I start by reading "The 369th Friend by Marjorie Wienman Sharmat. It's about how Emery Raccoon learned that in order to have friends and not be lonely he had to first learn to love himself and enjoy being with himself. I use a raccoon puppet and an art lesson to make paper bag raccoons. We also learn how to use positive self talk to appreciate own qualities. I use my own books, "Gramma Shirah Says Words of Wisdom" and "Gramma Shirah Says More Words of Wisdom" to illustrate how the mind is like a computer. When you put in positive messages press enter. When you put in negative messages press delete. The kids love this one. The next book I use is "Have You Filled a Bucket Today" by Carol McCloud. This book is taking off and teachers love it. You can find lots of great ideas and handouts on www.bucketfillers101.com. I have used a lot of their materials. We made our own buckets by using a lovely white paper bag with handles. We decorate the front with our own picture and our name. We sprinkle stickers all over the front and back and on the back we use markers to draw our favorite things that make us happy, like hearts,flowers, soccer balls etc., Fun,fun,fun! We learn the words to the song I've Got Self Esteem and Wonderful Me , Marvelous Me. We also sing the Bucketfiller Song. I also include Heart Talks by Cliff Durfee that introduces sharing with a little red velour heart. It teaches children to listen with their ears and their hearts to others. www.CliffDurfee.com I wrote an adorable little story (if I say so myself) about Scamper the Squirrel and the Emotional Guidance Tree to teach children how their emotions stem from the thoughts they tell themselves. When they are vibrating at the bottom of the tree, they are telling themselves negative thoughts. Little by little Scamper climbs up the tree until he reaches the top by changing his thinking. I have a lot more to add only I think this is enough for today. Please let me know if you like this blog for today! |
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Shirah Penn: Posted on Monday, October 29, 2012 10:53 AM
Gramma Shirah just took another online hypnosis class. This one is on the inner child. I am certified to be a hypnotist by Hypnosis Motivation Institute which is a part of American Hypnosis Association. I just haven't made the decision to begin a practice. I am also certified or at least I was certified to be an RCB instructor as well. I have made some attempts to create Enlightened People Workshops out of my home. But what has happened for me since I turned 74 is that I just don't have the passion or the strength to continue these pursuits. Also financially I am learning to live on my retirement and so I'm limited. I do get frustrated that I can't do everything or be everywhere that I want to be. That is my reality. I am sloooowly learning to accept my reality and work within my means. I can let go of my old dreams and create some new ones. There are plenty of things I can do. I can make videos and CD's. I can teach little children a few times a week for an hour or two at a time. I can help my grandson with his schooling. I can be a partner for my husband as he enjoys his retirement and I can just let myself be. So how are you today? What is going on for you? |
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Shirah Penn: Posted on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 11:36 AM
Today at my It's Great to Be Me class, we will be reading Have You Filled a Bucket Today and then we will finish creating our "buckets". (We are using bags). The children will write positive notes to each other and think of ways they are being kind. It will be a lot of fun. |
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Shirah Penn: Posted on Sunday, October 21, 2012 8:44 AM
I first took the RCB course with Maggie Macaulay and I thought that I could teach this program after retirement and it would help me in my classroom. Maggie introduced me to Beth Lefevre who instructed me in becoming a facilitator. Then I met Tawnya Perry and we created our first ever class at the Imagine Charter School. We were both very inexperienced in teaching this course at the time and we still were able to make a difference to our brave students. LOL! I met Tawnya in Texas for my first RCB Conference and there I met Kathryn Kvols. She wrote the book and created the program. It was a wonderful time of bonding and sharing. |
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Gramma Shirah Penn: Posted on Sunday, October 21, 2012 8:39 AM
Gramma Shirah spent the day yesterday at the "It Takes a Village Conference". It was put on by the Indigo Village Educational Foundation, Whole Foods Market, Moms Miami, and Whole Hearted Parenting. My friend Maggie Macaulay put it all together with lots of help from her friends. It was an amazing day of speakers, visiting with friends, and connecting with caring people. I was first introduced to R.C.B. (Redirecting Children's Behavior) when I was trying to decide what i wanted to do after I retired. I thought I could teach parents and other teachers how to raise peaceful and loving children. It took me such a long time to figure all these things out, I wanted to make it easier for future generations. |
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Shirah Penn: Posted on Saturday, October 13, 2012 11:36 AM
Gramma Shirah is having so much fun teaching 2 groups of "It's Great to Be Me" at Manatee Bay. So far we have had 4 sessions. Each time I read a story, discuss how the brain works or how to develop self esteem, do an art project related to the story and sing positive self esteem songs. We share with the little red velour heart and have a great time! We are learning about each other. This next time we are going to read "The Mouse, The Monster, and Me" by Pat Palmer and talk about being unassertive, aggressive, and assertive. When we feel good about ourselves we can stand up for ourselves and let people know us for who we are. Being Assertive means having good self esteem, acknowledging yourself, and forgiving your limitations.We don't have to be perfect, just the best that we can be! The children will draw pictures of themselves showing The Good News About Me and What I Want to Work On...It will be so much fun! then we will sing, I've Got Self Esteem! |
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