DAY 5 OF SOUL FAST: CELEBRATING THE JOY OF CHILDREN AND RELEASING ANGER
TODAY BE GRATEFUL FOR CHILDREN: Let’s spend today reflecting on the children around us
TODAY WE FAST FROM ANGER: This emotion, though natural, can lead to stress and conflict.
INTRODUCTION TO DAY 5
Welcome to Day 5 of our soul-fasting journey. Today, we turn our attention and gratitude towards the children in our lives, recognizing the pure joy, perspective, and learning they bring. Alongside this appreciation, we focus on releasing anger, an emotion that can cloud our ability to experience and learn from the unbridled joy and simplicity children often embody.
MEDITATION FOCUS FOR GRATITUDE: CHILDREN
Let’s spend today reflecting on the children around us—our own, those in our extended family, or those we encounter in daily life. Consider their laughter, their inquisitive nature, and their straightforward expression of emotions. We express gratitude for the lessons they impart, often unintentionally, about love, patience, and living in the present. Whether it’s through their playful antics, innocence, or capacity for amazement, children have a unique way of enriching our lives.
MEDITATION FOCUS FOR FASTING: ANGER
While we embrace the positive energy that children bring into our lives, let’s also consciously work on letting go of anger. This emotion, though natural, can lead to stress and conflict. When we feel anger rising today, we’ll acknowledge it, and then choose to respond with patience and understanding. We’ll take inspiration from children and see each moment as a chance to start anew.
PRACTICE FOR THE DAY
Engage in activities that either involve children or remind you of the simplicity and joy of childhood. This could be playing a game, creating art, enjoying a children’s movie, or spending quality time with children. Throughout the day, be mindful of moments when anger might typically surface and intentionally choose a calm and empathetic response.
Day 5 is about the delight and wisdom children bring into our world and learning to manage and let go of anger. As we go through the day, let the innocence and happiness of children inspire us, guiding us to approach each situation with a more patient and loving heart.