AURORA'S MAGIC LP3

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Created on Tuesday, 10 November 2015 21:39

Written by Marian Moore

 Marian @ Krysan

THE WELLBEING CONSULTANCY

Planting Golden Seeds in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, and Durham

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OPEN LEARN @ Krysan.org™

AURORA'S MAGIC 

 

1. Building on the sweetness of yesterday.
2. Being truly present in the here and now.
3. Brokering with dignity for a peaceful planet.

 

From one gift come many ... on this webpage, you will find the first airing of some original open learning material, this to give you a feel for an old idea birthed into a new reality. 

Please note that the target audience for this third Learning Package (LP3) is the younger generation or indeed anyone who is young at heart.  The concept is based on a grandmother's tales.  It is inspired by the Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust's work with young people.

 

LEARNING PACKAGE 3 (LP3)
MODULES 11 - 14
ePage 1 (of 8)

 

A U R O R A ' S   M A G I C 

 

Dear Friends 

• WELCOME TO MY WORLD
• OF ACTION LEARNING

STORY BOARD (LP3)

The audience I had in mind when compiling this Learning Package was a group of young people living in a hospital ward or studying with others out in the community. The main aim is to get young people talking about issues that affect their lives. 

The five-minute storytelling technique is used to orientate each module, this being followed by a conversation around a related question re a self-improvement or self-healing strategy.  

The Guru in the Room idea is also introduced.  Here, I recommend using a CD, The Happiness Training Plan by Miriam Akhtar and Dr Chris Johnstone.  This is available from Amazon. Alternatively, the short TED-Ed videos are well-worth looking at.  But, the choice is yours.

It is as well to note that the package is designed with simplicity of use in mind. It is not meant to be set in stone but rather leaves the door wide open for facilitators and the audience to bring their own creativity and natural flair to this learning experience.

The course design is based on my own experience as a teacher/consultant during the 1970/80s, a time of great change in educational philosophy.  The course content is from my extensive writings on the World Wide Web over a seven year period (2008 to now).  

A journey of discovery ...

Each of the five modules in LP3 is designed to stand alone, or even mix and match with the contents of the existing Learning Packages and others yet to be imagined.  This is a free resource and you are invited to try it for size.  It would be appreciated if you were to get in touch with me to say how you get on.  My contact details are at the end of the page.

So, in short, OPEN LEARN @ Krysan.org™ is ...

... a modular happiness and wellbeing course (like no other).  It brings a creative, whole-person approach to learning (and life).  It was written and designed by an educator/entrepreneur who just happens to be an Expert Through Experience in Mental Health and Wellbeing.  Enjoy: learning can and should be fun.

AFFIRMATION:
What is life but this .. ?

The transformative process which can result from mental trauma is beyond words just like the magic of the Northern lights.  Health impacts on all aspects of our life and once regained is the most valuable gift we have.  The analogy with an aurora is a constantly changing flux or picture where a myriad of facets and colours can be viewed.  What is life but this ... ?  Lorraine Nicholson    

TARGET AUDIENCE:
You, me and us

TOTAL CONTACT TIME:
5 x 1 hr = 5 hrs  (tea & cake included)

COURSE FACILITATOR:
Anyone who has a heart.

RESOURCES:
www.krysan.org links plus anything else that comes to hand

PHILOSOPHY:
Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.

 

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 LP3/Page 2 (of 8)

 

A U R O R A 'S   M A G I C

A creative approach to learning (and life) 

 

AN OVERVIEW OF 
MODULES 11 - 15 

 

MODULE 11  

THEME   |   I Wonder ...

http://www.krysan.org/index.php/a-heartwarming-tale

This is the magical story of a small child (now grown) who at three years of age came to her grandmother's rescue when the rest of the family had lost all hope. To cut a long story short, fear turned to love and a life was saved.

 

MODULE 12   

THEME    |   Half the Sky

http://www.krysan.org/index.php/how-to-change-the-world

A grandmother chats with her now 12-year-old granddaughter after school.  "Today, I spoke of the book, Half the Sky, and the mission of ordinary women living in the developing countries to change the world for their daughters and granddaughters."

 

MODULE 13   

THEME    |  The Power of One

http://www.krysan.org/index.php/be-the-change

This is a 'what if' story.  What if each of us in our daily interactions planted a seed of peace. What if that seed grew and spread. What if we were kind and then others were kind because of it. What if we released our anger in a safe way and showed others how to do it.  

 

MODULE 14   

THEME    |  To A Dear Child

http://www.krysan.org/index.php/head-to-heart

I can hardly believe that you have reached the age of fifteen. It's sort of crept up on us all as years do. But how proud we are of a Dear Child who sees the strand of DNA on the back of a beetle; who has a passion for all things electronic (including iPads) ...

 

MODULE 15   

 THEME    |  My Dear Child

 http://krysan.org/index.php/older-people-s-day-2014

To get to Africa after GCSEs was a dream made possible only through a whole family effort. At no point was it easy. Yet, you made it and became a more confident, caring and compassionate person as a result.

 

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LP1/Page 3 (of 8)

  MODULE 11

Theme  |  I WONDER ...      

 

WELCOME TO 'AURORA'S MAGIC'

TIME TO LISTEN  |  5-minute reading

  

This is the magical story of a small child who came to her grandmother's rescue when the rest of the family had lost all hope.  To cut a long story short, fear turned to love and a life was saved.

 

THE THREE-YEAR-OLD (2001)
"THE PASSWORD IS I LOVE YOU"

Dear Friend

My granddaughter celebrated her third birthday in April, 2001. My son paid his usual weekly courtesy call with his reluctant small daughter in tow. My house was definitely not this child's favourite place. Her home was noisy - always full of people, full of life, full of colour, and full of fun. Mine is a quiet house, surrounded by tall, old trees and high, even older walls.

My house must have seemed more than a little strange, even frightening to this young visitor.  On this occasion, she indicated that she wanted to speak with me. She led the way to the door with me trailing along behind - a sad, wraith-like figure. Suddenly, this speck of humanity stopped, barred my way with outstretched arm, and spoke the six words that saved my life: "The password is I love you.

A game to her?  Maybe, but this was the turning point for me. Thanks to one small girl who - of her own volition - offered a hand, I had my epiphany moment. I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. It was golden, the colour of love. After 12 nightmare years, I picked myself up, dusted myself down, and got on with my life - this to everyone's amazement.

Within the year, I was well enough to have become a regular at the Patients' Circle at a nearby NHS mental health hospital and had even started on the first of a long stream of Open University courses. This was to become occupational therapy - with style.  My style.

I was by now nearly 60 and, taking one tentative step at a time, on my way again. Within a few months, I was made the editor of the hospital's wellbeing magazine and, thanks to my husband, acquired my very own home-office with computer, scanner, printer, telephone and other office sundries! My granddaughter became a regular and now willing visitor - God's little helper in person. Over time, she helped transform my house back into the home it had always secretly been.

For years, we played endless games of hide and seek, invented imaginary friends, ran races in the garden, climbed trees, ate ice cream, fed the hens, collected eggs, dug up potatoes, ate peas from the pod, painted faces, and drew pictures. Despite the generation gap, my granddaughter grew into my best friend and I became happy again.

My decision.

________________

AFFIRMATION: What is life but this .. ?

The transformative process which can result from mental trauma is beyond words just like the magic of the Northern lights.  Health impacts on all aspects of our life and once regained is the most valuable gift we have.  The analogy with an aurora is a constantly changing flux or picture where a myriad of facets and colours can be viewed.  What is life but this ... ?  Lorraine Nicholson     

TIME TO TALK   

Can people decide to be happy?  Have you heard of Post Traumatic Growth? What makes you happy?  How can we spread a bit of happiness?

GURU IN THE ROOM

Happiness Training Plan ... TED-Ed ... Action for Happiness ... You, yourself?

 

FINISH M11

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   M11 OPTIONAL/PRIVATE STUDY

 http://www.krysan.org/index.php/a-heartwarming-tale

 

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LP3/page 4

 MODULE 12

THEME  |  HALF THE SKY  

  

WELCOME TO 'AURORA'S MAGIC '

TIME TO LISTEN | 5-minute reading

 

A grandmother chats with her granddaughter after school.  "Today, I spoke of the book, Half the Sky, and the mission of ordinary women living in the developing countries to change the world for their daughters and granddaughters."

 

THE ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD (2009)
SWAPPING YARNS

Dear Friend

This page [on my website] will be about the struggle for equality for women and their daughters around the world.  It has been inspired by a book called Half the Sky: How to Change the World by Nicholas D. Kristof & Sheryl Wudunn (2010).  For the moment it must suffice to say that:

1. In the nineteenth century the central moral challenge we faced was slavery.
2. In the twentieth century it was the battle against totalitarianism.
3. In the twenty-first century it is the struggle for equality for women and their daughters around the world.

How do we tackle poverty, disease and conflict?  Half the Sky shows that women are the solution.  I'll be back soon with more, and leave you with much to think about, including this quotation about the importance of girls' education in the developing world, 

'Investment in girls' education may well be the highest-return investment available in the developing world'.  AN ECONOMIST

I AM ... a grandmother who enjoys frequent visits from my granddaughter after school!  We share a cup of coffee and a custard cream (or two) and swap yarns - usually about what she (and I) have learned that day.

This visit lasts only for a few minutes, but you would be surprised at the inter-generational exchange of news and views that transpires.  Today, my granddaughter had (amongst other things) been practising her orienteering skills in the school playing field as part of the PE curriculum.  From listening to my grandchild, I learn a lot about the way education has changed in the last twenty years, that is, since I was a teacher. 

Then, when my visitor has had her say, I have mine.  Today, I spoke of the book, Half the Sky, and the mission of ordinary women living in the developing countries to change the world for their daughters and granddaughters.  The young woman sitting at my kitchen table already knows a fair bit about racism and we discussed (albeit briefly) what is meant by sexism.  

One is never too young to learn and, conversely, one is never too old to learn. ... I hope that my granddaughter and I will continue to engage with the issues of the world together and what better time than after school over coffee and biscuits? 

________________

AFFIRMATION: What is life but this .. ? 

The transformative process which can result from mental trauma is beyond words just like the magic of the Northern lights.  Health impacts on all aspects of our life and once regained is the most valuable gift we have.  The analogy with an aurora is a constantly changing flux or picture where a myriad of facets and colours can be viewed.  What is life but this ... ?  Lorraine Nicholson    

TIME TO TALK 

Do you know what sexism is?  Do you know what the Flynn Effect is?  How can we help make the world a better place for women and their daughters?

THE GURU IN THE ROOM

The Happiness Training Plan? ... TED-Ed Videos? ... Action for Happiness website? ... You, yourself?

 

FINISH M12

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    M12 OPTIONAL/PRIVATE STUDY

http://www.krysan.org/index.php/how-to-change-the-world

 

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LP3/page 5

 MODULE 13

THEME  |  THE POWER OF ONE

 

WELCOME TO MY WORLD 

TIME TO LISTEN   |   5-minute reading

 

This is a 'what if' story.  What if each of us in our daily interactions planted a seed of peace? What if that seed grew and spread? What if we were kind and then others were kind because of it? 

 

AGED FOURTEEN (2012)
PLANTING SEEDS OF PEACE/CREATING A SAFE WORLD

Dear Child

We are living in a world where we are constantly shown, by the media, man's inhumanity toward each other through violence, terrorism, and war. Never has there been a time that our light is more needed than now.

During this powerful time in history we, as a group of conscious beings, actually can shift the awareness of the planet. The soul work we are doing has prepared us perfectly for this precise moment. Our voices, actions and intentions will inspire and heal so many. No longer can we sit by and just visualize our government making conscious choices -- we must combine our spiritual practices with uplifting words and positive action.

If we can do this I believe, with my whole being, that we are on the brink of something truly amazing. The vision I hold is that we are a moment away from creating a world safe for our children, their children, and all generations to follow.

Some of you might be saying, How can I as one person change what is happening in our government and our world? By becoming a spiritual activist. By being that spark to help others raise their awareness and find peace. This can occur by committing to creating peace within yourself and your family, by voting and encouraging others to vote for political leaders who value humanity, and by helping others discover their light, you set in motion the intention of positive transformation.

Another way to bring about change is to have the courage to voice your opinions to elected officials, media, and newspapers. This can be done by calling or e-mailing your elected officials, writing editorials for your local newspapers and large publications.

What if each of us in our daily interactions planted a seed of peace. What if that seed grew and spread. What if we were kind and then others were kind because of it. What if we released our anger in a safe way and showed others how to do it. What if we honored our differences and others did also. What if we voted for political leaders who cherish global peace and others did the same.

We could become that spark to help others raise their awareness. If one by one each of us takes personal responsibility for raising the awareness of humanity we begin to shift the global consciousness toward peaceful ways of being.

There is a powerful phenomenon in group behavior called reaching a critical mass. What this means is that one person begins initiating a behavior, others observe it and begin imitating the action. Then one by one others join in until enough people are behaving in the same way and the entire crowd follows, this is the critical mass.

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AFFIRMATION: What is life but this .. ? 

The transformative process which can result from mental trauma is beyond words just like the magic of the Northern lights.  Health impacts on all aspects of our life and once regained is the most valuable gift we have.  The analogy with an aurora is a constantly changing flux or picture where a myriad of facets and colours can be viewed.  What is life but this ... ?  Lorraine Nicholson    

TIME TO TALK

Have you experienced an act of kindness recently?  How did this make you feel?  Have you heard of the Feel Good Factor?  How can we help it to spread?

GURU IN THE ROOM

Happiness Training Plan ... TED-Ed ... Action for Happiness ... You, yourself?

 

M13 FINISH

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   M13 OPTIONAL/PRIVATE STUDY

http://www.krysan.org/index.php/be-the-change

 

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 LP3/page 6 (of 8) 

 MODULE 14

THEME  |  To a Dear Child

 

WELCOME TO AURORA'S MAGIC

TIME TO LISTEN | 5-minute reading

 

I can hardly believe that you have reached the age of 15.  It's sort of crept up on all of us as the years do.  But how proud we are of a Dear Child who sees the strand of DNA on the back of a beetle; who has a passion for all things electronic (including iPads) ...

 

AGED FIFTEEN (2013)
LISTENING TO GOD'S HEART

Dear Child

I can hardly believe that you have reached the age of fifteen. It's sort of crept up on us all as years do. But how proud we are of a Dear Child who sees the strand of DNA on the back of a beetle; who has a passion for all things electronic (including iPads), but who also shows a liking for old-fashioned things like mince and dumplings, as well as being ecologically sensitive in taking firm action to protect the planet for children not yet born. 

Indeed, I know that the wellbeing of all sentient beings (including small, stray rabbits) is high on your agenda. Moreover, I have no doubt that — for a variety of very good scientific reasons — your brain is wired somewhat  differently to mine (and your dad's) and I am ever hopeful that the scourges of old age, like dementia, cancer and arthritic joints, will be swept away in your life-time by a flurry of advances in neuroscience and other branches of medicine.  

The signs are good.  Change is in the air.  I see evidence of creative new ways of thinking (and being) in young people everywhere, including in the student doctors, nurses and social workers who I often mention in my weblogs (and sometimes at the dinner table).  Now, I invite you to read this — an overwhelmingly beautiful poem which moves the stars for me and might indeed have a similar effect on you.

Mary Oliver's poem, A Summer's Day, answers (and poses) many questions of a philosophical nature, the sorts of questions that consciously evolving humans of all ages, all over the world will ask at one time or another.  Poetry cuts to the chase!  Greater than words! 

A SUMMER'S DAY:

 MODULE 15

THEME   |   My Dear Child 

 

WELCOME TO AURORA'S MAGIC

TIME TO LISTEN | 5-minute reading

 

To get to Africa after GCSEs was a dream made possible only by a whole family effort. Yet, you made it and became a more confident, caring and compassionate person as a result.

 

AGED SIXTEEN (2014)
WELCOME HOME

Without a shadow of doubt, we two are out to make a difference, but whilst I consciously begin to narrow my focus, your world-view is expanding - exponentially. And, this is as it should be. I am well on in years; you stand on the cusp of life. Three days ago you returned home from a month-long working holiday in Tanzania in East Africa. You are completely and noticeably changed by the experience.  

Experience is the best teacher. Whatever action we take shapes and reshapes us and, through us, the world we live in. The challenge for everyone is to ensure that our actions are benign and benefit all. In taking up this challenge you and your friends are expressing a way of being based on partnership: accepting the values of mutual compassion, mutual responsibility, and mutual respect for - on this occasion - the beautiful children of Africa.   

I am a young woman who wants to conquer the world. I am a young woman who believes that I can add to the development of my continent and of course my country and my community and my family. – Sombo, Zambia

As the years roll by, I am confident that lessons learnt this summer, in a land far from home, will be strengthened and promoted through collaboration and a shared vision, this aimed at building the 'fullness of community'. This is viewed by many world-class thinkers as the only hope: for the dignity of the human condition, and for our co-evolution with Earth.  

You already know about 'community' by experiencing it first-hand in North East England and, as of late, experiencing it first-hand in the East African country of Tanzania. One day, you will doubtless study - as a Geographer - how to 'build community', this in an often fragmented and sometimes unfriendly world. Maybe that time is far distant, but it's worth saying now that the word 'community' means 'fellowship of relations or feelings'. 

An African is known to be his brother’s keeper and that is who I am. I am hoping that with this, I will go back more equipped to make changes. I hope that I will be the change.” – Maryam, Nigeria 

It has been said many times before that only when we understand the true nature that exists within can we live harmoniously with the rest of the natural world. I was advised by a wise doctor years ago that 'the spirit comes from within'. I learned that self-realisation is not rocket-science. It's just about getting real. Becoming yourself. Being yourself. Drawing forth the same in others. 

A blog is only a blog - it's nothing more and nothing less.  But, watch out for the Head, Heart and Hand model outlined below - if it hasn't done so already, it's sure to crop up again somewhere in your studies.  This, then, is: 

The Model of Human Engagement. 

Head > (reason, logic, law ... enforcement)

Heart > (feelings, intuition, values ... processes) 

Hand > (management, serving, activism ... enabling) 

You will know people in your circle who have been called to develop expertise/learning in one of these three areas; even two; but rarely all three! The above model might even help you navigate towards a broader curriculum at A-level than would have been the case.  Who knows?  I say no more other than go with your intuition in making your final choice of subjects. Like Ida from The Gambia (quoted below), you are the future.  You, too, must be heard.   

That is one of the things that we are really learning to do here; is to say, no we must be heard. We are the future. So in a nutshell, that’s who I am. I am the future. The African future.” – Ida, The Gambia

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AFFIRMATION: What is life but this .. ? 

The transformative process which can result from mental trauma is beyond words just like the magic of the Northern lights.  Health impacts on all aspects of our life and once regained is the most valuable gift we have.  The analogy with an aurora is a constantly changing flux or picture where a myriad of facets and colours can be viewed.  What is life but this ... ?  Lorraine Nicholson 

TIME TO TALK 

Am I my brother's keeper?  What is the challenge in relation to the beautiful children of Africa?  What is the challenge nearer home?  How can we help each other?

GURU IN THE ROOM

Happiness Training Plan ... TED-Ed ... Action for Happiness ... You, yourself?

 

FINISH M15 

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   M15 OPTIONAL/PRIVATE STUDY 

http://krysan.org/index.php/older-people-s-day-2014

 

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LP3/page 8  

   READING ROOM @ Krysan.org

e-MAGAZINE @ Krysan.org

Download Reality - Summer 2010

'See as if for the first time'

   ENRICH @ Krysan.org 

• Marian Moore BA/BSc (Open) CertEd (Distinction)
• Writer/Speaker/NTW Governor
• JANUARY 2016

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• Thanks go to 'Aurora' (now aged seventeen) for permission
• to use her lovely photograph.  
• Good luck for your A Levels, Driving Test, etc.

• ALSO thanks to my friend Lorraine Nicholson
• for the beautiful inspiration and, of course, the affirmation
• re the Northern lights!