I think power lies within all of us. A sense of empowerment to stand up straight, look people in the eyes, smile, act.
Kids hear everything we say, even when we whisper it, especially when we whisper it. Our micro expressions, our judgement or our openness towards others.
Ivy gets along brilliantly with many of Jackie’s classmates. She smiles discreetly and warms her way into people’s hearts. Today a neighborhood friend showed up at church and ivy was super excited to have a friend with her. A few minutes later another friend walked up to us and smiled at me from a few rows down. I asked her if she wants to sit next to ivy and she nodded enthusiastically. Then Ivy sat between both of them as she was the common denominator.
They colored and whispered and shared pencils. Ivy looks up at me, smiles and whispers: “I try to play with both of them”. When you worry about making everyone else feel welcomed, when you spend your energy including others, you have no time to worry about being excluded. Or maybe you get to practice the art of inclusion and that frees you of the fear of being left out.
Ivy is self aware and is mastering the art of navigating all kinds of social interactions. Yet she suffers when she tries to be part of games and kids don’t let her in. Even when it’s not intentional. Sometimes kids ar too focused on something in particular, they started a game with a friend or they are simply unaware.
Inclusion is an art. Kindness is priceless.