Author: Dee DiGioia

Dee DiGioia (di JOY uh) is a wholistic educator who finds great joy in helping others discover and understand the inner workings of the mind and body, while cultivating the life-skills and positive habits for emotional, physical, and social well-being. She believes mindfulness is the missing piece (and peace) in education, as well as in our relationships with ourselves, and with others. Dee is currently seeking an opportunity to teach and coach the practice of Mindfulness to all ages. If you are interested in joining or hosting MK YOU classes or trainings for youth, or parents, or educators, please contact Dee.
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Switching Perspective on the What-Ifs

Switching Perspective on the What-Ifs

~ by Dee DiGioia

I’m a “what-if” person.

I have been all my life. Most of it is the anxiety-driven catastrophic-thinking kind. The kind that starts with one small worry and, if I let it, turns into a full down-hill spiral: what if this goes wrong, and then what if that happens, and then what if …?

Anxiety has a way of narrating the worst version of the future as if it’s already decided. It’s actually a primitive survival mechanism hard-wired into the brain as an internal alarm system. Your brain uses the imagination to simulate future worst-case scenarios, anticipating potential problems, threats, or harm so you can avoid danger or prepare physically or emotionally for a negative outcome.

An overactive amygdala—the brain’s threat-detection center—misinterprets safe situations as dangerous, triggering a fight-or-flight response. This chronic activation floods the body with stress hormones and impairs the prefrontal cortex (the brain’s rational, calming center), directly causing the racing heart, hypervigilance, and persistent fear associated with anxiety disorders.

Chronic anxiety often stems from a combination of genetic, environmental, and social factors. It is not tied to specific events but seems to permeate every aspect of life, manifesting as generalized worry, excessive fear, and intrusive thoughts.

Symptoms can be managed. It used to hold me back a lot but has eased up over the years with awareness and choosing strategies to stop the spiral. For years, I taught mindfulness based social-emotional learning programs to children, including how to recognize and cope with anxiety and “what-ifs.” Teaching them helped me as well!

Even though I taught it, it doesn’t mean I don’t experience anxiety anymore. It is something I manage. Even as recently as a few weeks ago I started spiraling fast while preparing for the Live Oak Music Festival. I was trying to manage my feelings about first time camping there and first time volunteering at the event for 4 days. The “what-ifs” came flooding in. When I don’t catch myself on the downward spiral, then awareness arises from the reactions from others. They look at me with furrowed brows of confusion as if wondering “why is that such a big worry?” I then am reminded to thank my amygdala for trying to protect me but I’m taking the steering wheel now! None of my catastrophic worst-case scenarios came to fruition. I had an amazing time!

As such, in the last few years, I became aware of what-if thoughts spiraling in a reverse direction…

New Imaginings

Four years ago I bought my first set of crystal sound bowls to help manage my anxieties at a stressful time — a breakup of a long-term relationship and having to return to full time work as a speech-language therapist in the public schools. It was a stressful job that burned me out and I was trying to escape but instead I had to return to it in order to afford my rent that I was now having to pay for on my own.

But “what-ifs” aren’t always catastrophic thinking. I may be a “what-if” person but I also have a creative imagination. I began to imagine new potential and possibilities. I loved how the sound bowls helped me feel, so the what-ifs began flooding in. What if I could learn and study more about sound and healing? What if I could have this be a core offering for Mindful Kindful YOUniversity? What if I used my salary to invest in training and in acquiring more instruments so that I could eventually leave the career in the schools once and for all?

The “what-ifs” became fuel for hope for a new future and I began sharing “sound journeys” with others. And others also love how it helps them feel!

That’s not to say the anxious thoughts didn’t and don’t show up from time to time. What if I’m not good enough? What if people don’t come? What if I fail?

But those are merely whispers that I don’t give much credence to — I let them drift on by like clouds in the sky. They no longer stick like velcro. They slide off like teflon!

Similarly, the rise of our facilitated mindful drumming circles came out of creative imagination. I used drums with my special needs students in schools and started learning different ways to use rhythm and drums to positively impact their behavioral challenges. In so doing, once again I loved how it helped me to feel and deal with the stresses at work.

Three years ago, on my birthday (July 18), I told my partner I wanted to do a drum circle. Neither of us had ever even been to one. No training, no experience, no plan — just an impulse, or perhaps a calling, that felt too big to ignore.

At the end of that circle, people enthusiastically asked, “Can we do this again?” They, too, loved how it made them feel. We laughed, we created, we played on buckets and make-shift drums.

That question planted more what-ifs — imagining the best-case possibilities! What if I explored training as a drumming facilitator? What if this could be a type of sound healing experience that people can actually participate in? What if I purchased enough drums to eliminate any barriers to participating?

Of course the overprotective amygdala sounds the alarm from time to time — What if you look like a fool? What if people think I am “not a drummer” because I don’t know cultural rhythms or “how to play”? What if…? What if…?

I let those intrusive thoughts blow on by like leaves in the wind.

“There is freedom waiting for you, On the breezes of the sky, And you ask, “What if I fall?” Oh, but my darling, What if you fly?”

— Erin Hanson

The Question That Runs Backward

In the past year or two I began to reflect differently. Instead of potential doom thoughts — “What if this goes wrong?” or “What if I fail?” — I muse about “What if I had never started at all?” “What if I never left my career in the school system?”

Oh, how life would be so different!

As a speech-language therapist in the school system for years, it was literally chipping away at my mental and physical health. The caseload and workload was not sustainable, and the job was slowly stealing something from me — my passion and joie de vivre. Burnout isn’t a metaphor. One day, at school, my heart went so haywire I had to call 911. It was the final straw — the realization that the school system was going to keep taking from me until there was nothing left to give, so it was up to me to make a change. To fly the coop. To imagine the possibilities and potential for a completely different way of serving others, which I had begun paving the way for while still teaching.

What if I had never purchased a crystal sound bowl set? What if I hadn’t invited people to my first “sound bath”?

I think about the ripples I would not have made — the people I would not have met, the shifts I would not have witnessed together in sound.

What if I had never said “let’s do a drum circle” on my birthday?

I would not be facilitating at senior living centers — witnessing laughter, the spirit of play, and their genuine appreciation for participating in such a unique activity. I would not know the particular quiet that comes over a community circle who came in carrying grief, or loneliness, or even curiosity about trying something new — and left a little lighter.

Working with children for all those years taught me something I didn’t know I’d need later: the value of play, of laughter, of being okay with a perceived mistake. It turns out that lesson wasn’t just for the classroom. It was preparing me for a room full of adults who felt worried about “how to” drum for the first time.

It’s the same imaginative muscle the what-ifs use. I just turned it around. And when I turned it around, what I found wasn’t fear — it was gratitude.

What If I Waited Until I Was “Good”?

This is the one I have to be honest about, because it’s still unresolved.

I never grew up around cultural drumming rhythms. I’ve tried, a few times, with a teacher — and it scrambles my brain. It doesn’t come easily to me the way it seems to for others. And the what-if here is a quieter, more persistent one: what if I’m not qualified to facilitate this? What if I “should” wait until I’m actually “good” at it?

I haven’t fully answered that what-if. I don’t think I need to.

What I’ve come to instead is this: our circles were never about getting the rhythm “right.” They’re about creative play — about a room full of people picking up a drum, some for the first time, and finding out that there is no wrong way to make good sounding rhythms together. If I had waited to feel qualified by someone else’s standard, I never would have started, and neither would most of the people who now call our circles the highlight of their month.

I still don’t know the traditional rhythms well. I’ve made peace with that — not by resolving it, but by realizing it was never the point.

Naming It, So You Can Use It

I don’t think I’m unusual in having a what-if brain. I think most people who feel deeply also imagine vividly — and that imagination can just as easily terrify you as it can show you what you would have missed.

Here’s what I’ve learned to do with mine:

      • Notice the spiral early. The what-ifs almost always start small. Catching the first step down is easier than climbing back up from the bottom.
      • Ask what you’d be waiting for. If the what-if is “what if I’m not ready” — ask what “ready” would even look like. Sometimes there’s no such finish line.
      • Flip the question. Instead of what if this goes wrong, try what if I never tried at all? Let yourself actually picture that absence — the ripples that wouldn’t exist.
      • Let unresolved things stay unresolved. Not every what-if needs an answer. Some just need to stop being the reason you don’t start.
      • Remember: worst-case rarely arrives. Most of the time, the outcome is neutral. Sometimes — more often than we let ourselves believe — it’s the best thing that ever happened to us.

Four or five years ago, I was spiraling toward a depression I recognized from other chapters of my life. Leaving my “career” in special education was a leap of faith that may be one of the best decisions of my life. Today, I’m living the best version of my life I didn’t know how to imagine back then — one built on sound, rhythm, connection, healing, and showing other people that they’re capable of things they don’t yet believe they’re capable of. I am flying high!

If there’s a what-if quietly holding you back from something — a circle you haven’t joined, a thing you haven’t tried, a version of yourself you haven’t let out yet — I hope you’ll ask the other question too.

What if you never started? And what if, instead, you did?

~ In gratitude, Dee DiGioia, Mindful Kindful YOUniversity

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Am I Doing Enough? A Question I Keep Coming Back To

Am I Doing Enough? A Question I Keep Coming Back To

A reflection by Dee DiGioia, Mindful Kindful YOUniversity

Lately, I’ve been asking myself a hard question.

With so much happening in our world—the cruelty showing up in headlines every single day, human rights trampled on, the erasing of history, and the dismantling of protections for our planet and our health—with the enormity of it all pressing in, I’ve found myself wondering: Am I doing enough?

When I learned of Singing Resistance in Minnesota—a response to ICE violence and the terrorizing of immigrant communities—I immediately thought, “I can do that!” That’s how I can make a difference. After all, it’s a nonviolent approach that brings people together to help express collective grief, anger, and hope. Singing has always been integral to cultures, communities, and resistance movements. Particularly with others, it regulates breathing and triggers the body’s calming systems, reducing stress, fear, and panic during tense situations.

So, I dove in, helping to create our Singing Resistance Central Coast group for San Luis Obispo County. Getting it off the ground meant learning new tools, new platforms, new systems—all while the world was on fire and my business, my own soul’s work, still needed tending. A website. Social media. Secure email. Encrypted messaging. Coordinating with team leaders. Collaborating with other organizations. Showing up to sing.

Each piece felt manageable on its own.

Together, it quietly became a second full-time job—one without pay, without a job description, and without an off switch. I watched others in the group move through it all with what looked like ease, and I found myself wondering: why is this so hard for me?

It’s meaningful and powerful work. And it’s also a lot.

The Internal Resistance

Here is the part I’m almost embarrassed to admit: I don’t love the organizing and administrative side. I love the singing. I love using my voice in community. I love the science of how singing in community creates cohesion and is healing. But the behind-the-scenes administrative part of it—my heart isn’t fully in it.

It’s an internal juggle between what I feel I “should” be doing and what I’m actually drawn to do. Ironically, in my effort to join a resistance movement, I created a different kind of resistance within myself—a heavy, persistent feeling of self-imposed guilt.

Did you ever have this feeling?

When I sit with it honestly, I realize the question “Am I doing enough?” is really a few questions:

      • Am I contributing meaningfully to something larger than myself in these dark times?
      • Am I allowed to do it in my own way—the way that actually aligns with my true nature and how I want to show up in the world?
      • Am I enough?

I’ve been finding my way toward “yes” for each of these.

The Ecology of Resistance

I read something recently about how movements responding to rising authoritarianism are not made of one kind of person doing one kind of thing. They are ecosystems. They need many different roles, many different gifts, and many different expressions of care and courage and action.

Something like this:

      • Organizers — those who coordinate, mobilize, inform, make decisions, and hold the structure together (usually based on past experience and knowledge of the systems).
      • Witnesses — those who document, bear testimony, and make sure what’s happening is seen, named, and recorded.
      • Creators — the writers, poets, dancers, singers, speakers — expressing anger, despair, and grief; shining a light on hope, tenderness, and compassion; healing through words, creative expression, art, and music — the very things that connect people, reduce stress, foster empathy, and support well-being.
      • Social Workers and Healthcare Providers — those who provide human essentials: food, water, clothing, and basic healthcare—especially to targeted people. Those who organize and bring awareness to the less-than-human treatment of peoples.
      • Advocates and Allies — those who stand beside marginalized communities, amplify their voices, and work to protect their rights and dignity.
      • The Healers — those who tend to the ones who are exhausted, traumatized, grieving, overwhelmed, burning out. Those who help people return to themselves so they can keep going—and so they can also see the light and beauty in the world.

These are just some of the many, many types of people in the ecosystem who respond in times of need. Every single one of these is necessary and essential to the ecosystem.

Finding My Place in the Ecosystem

Where am I in all of this?

The truth is, I have been acting as a lead Organizer for both my business and our Singing Resistance group. I have spent countless hours building the “skeleton”—the websites, the emails, the coordination. I’ve been doing it because it needs to be done.

But I’ve realized that while I can organize, my soul truly comes alive as a Creator and the Healer.

Those are the roles that feel like home. They are who I have become through my own human journey of overcoming trauma and life challenges. I am finally learning to stop feeling like I am “not enough” simply because the administrative “skeleton” feels heavy and draining. I am learning that even while I hold the structure together, I must make space to be the heart of it, too. And in order to bring my best, I need to ensure I am taking time out to fill back up with the things that sustain me.

What I Actually Do

I realized that if the goal of oppression is to make us numb, exhausted, and isolated, then anything that makes us feel alive, rested, and connected is a radical act. My work is resistance.

      • Sound Healing: When I facilitate a sound healing experience, I am helping someone’s nervous system remember what safety, inner peace, and harmony feel like—in a time when safety, peace, and harmony feel far away. Slowing down and taking time for self-care is resistance in chaotic times.
      • Mindful Drumming:  I am giving people a way to be in their bodies, in rhythm, and in community—countering the isolation, numbness, and disconnection that authoritarianism depends on.
      • Song Circles: Whether in a living room song circle or marching with Singing Resistance, I am helping empower others to use their voice for authentic self-expression, vocal empowerment, and emotional healing. Through song we ground and connect to our deepest joy. Joy is not a luxury. Joy is resistance. It can’t be taken away.
      • Nature Connection: I am providing the opportunity to connect to the vast, ancient, and unhurried world around us – that which holds and sustains us, no matter what is happening on the news. We let go of the noise of the world. We listen, in silent observance, to the earth, the ocean, the sun and stars, and let Nature remind us, guide us, show us how to live in harmony with one another.

“If we don’t have peace and joy right now, how can we have peace and joy tomorrow?” — Thich Nhat Hanh

When I provide these experiences with those navigating cancer or a serious health challenge, or those who are in their golden senior years, or any marginalized people, I am saying: your life matters, your peace matters, you are not alone — which is a profoundly political act when the forces around us say otherwise.

When I offer trauma and grief work, I am creating space for people to feel what they feel instead of suppressing it — because unexpressed trauma and grief becomes despair and hopelessness, which is one of the most effective tools of oppression. Most of us are collectively grieving the loss of what our democracy used to look like as we watch its crumbling. This is an opportunity to help grow a more loving and peaceful world out of the ruins.

Each of these offerings is my way of holding a lantern in the dark, reminding us that even in the most difficult times, we have the power to create, to connect, and keep the flame of love and hope brightly burning.

Do What You Can, When You Can

Our group motto is do what you can, when you can. I’m finally letting it land. Burnout comes from having one foot on the gas and one foot on the brake at the same time.

I work with people in some of the most tender and difficult moments of their lives. I need to be mindful of my own capacity—especially as a solopreneur in my upper 60s and having experienced burnout in many other chapters of my life—and need to model what it looks like to be sustained, so I can sustain others.

As Helen Keller said: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. I am only one; but still, I am one. I cannot do everything, but still, I can do something.”

As much as I want to save the world, I know I cannot do it alone. But I can do my part—doing what I can, when I can. This is the wisdom I have to remember, just as I remind you: we must replenish and nourish both heart and soul to have the capacity to be with the difficulties of these times. If we focus only on the darkness, it will take a toll on our well-being. This is why joy is resistance. Creating is resistance. Community is resistance. Loving and caring for one another is resistance.

A Closing Thought

If you are also asking yourself “Am I doing enough?”—I want to offer you this:

      • Are you showing up with what you have, in the way that is true to who you are, in service of something larger than yourself? 
      • Are you taking care of yourself so you can bring your best forward? 
      • Are you contributing joy, creativity, compassion, love, and/or light?

If the answer is yes—even imperfectly, even partially—then you, too, are part of this movement to keeping the lanterns lit. You are needed exactly as you are. Because YOU are enough.

Let’s do this—what we can, when we can! Together, let’s overwhelm the world with the good that we do rather than letting the world overwhelm us.

"Do you little bit of good where you are; it's thos likttle bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." - Desmond Tutu

In peace, love, joy, and light ~ Dee DiGioia

 

Mindful Kindful YOUniversity offers holistic and therapeutic wellness programs designed to reduce stress and support emotional, social, and physical well-being, serving individuals to entire communities and organizations. Dee weaves evidence-based practices with ancient wisdom into a holistic tapestry of sound energy, rhythmic alchemy, and mindful presence—nourishing deep inner peace, joy, resilience, and radiant well-being.
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The Season for Nonviolence ~ Mindful, Kindful, Peaceful

CLICK HERE

For a mini-site sharing daily inspirations, mindful practices, and reflections based on the daily Season for Nonviolence themes adapted by Dee DiGioia, Mindful Kindful YOUniversity.

Follow us on Social Media and comment on the SNV posts with your reflections!

[Copyright Dee DiGioia, Mindful Kindful YOUniversity]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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“Found Sound” – Creative Play for All Ages

“Found Sound” – Creative Play for All Ages

By Dee DiGioia, Mindful Kindful YOUniversity

Drumming with Dee at Mission Plaza.

There’s a rhythm inside every one of us—at every age—just waiting to be discovered, expressed, and shared. Why not let it out in the most playful way possible?

Our Joyful Rhythms Drum Circles just got even more fun with a special twist: “Found Sound”!

It’s a wildly creative, joy-filled adventure in rhythm where anything that makes a sound can become your instrument!

🔔 Note: Not all of our drum circles will include Found Sound. Be sure to check the description for each event on the calendar!

Photos (above) and video (below) are from our July “Anniversary” celebration – playing found sound (adults only)!

🪵 What is Found Sound?

Found Sound is the art of turning everyday objects into musical magic.
It’s like a musical scavenger hunt—where the prize is play!

It’s all about discovering rhythm in everyday life. It’s the art of making music with things that aren’t traditional instruments.

Think of it as a sound adventure—search your home, garage, yard, or the great outdoors for objects that produce percussive or rhythmic sounds.

Before the event, go on a little scavenger hunt and find items that can be:

      • Struck (like a spoon on a tin can)

      • Shaken (like beans in a plastic bottle)

      • Rubbed (like sandpaper blocks)

      • Scraped (like a stick on a cheesegrater or comb)

If it makes a sound, it’s fair game! Let your imagination go wild.

Here are some more sound-spiration:

      • 🥄 Pots, pans, and kitchen utensils

      • 🪣 Buckets, plastic containers, water bottles

      • 🪨 Rocks, sticks, pinecones, shells

      • 🎁 Boxes, tubes, rice-filled boxes

      • 🪵 Sandpaper, brushes, combs

Don’t worry—I’ll have some Found Sound items to share, too!

Found Sound at our mini drum circle (Central Coast Childbirth Network + Spotted Whale Event)

NOT JUST FOR KIDS!

Found Sound is NOT just for kids—this is a creative challenge for ALL ages! Adults are encouraged to rediscover the joy of play and spontaneity. When we step out of routine and into rhythm, something beautiful and freeing happens.

Let’s be real—adults need playtime, too!

Found Sound is a creative challenge for ALL ages.

Rediscover your playful side. Get silly. Get spontaneous. Get rhythmic!

When we step out of the routine and into rhythm, something magical happens. We laugh. We connect. We create.

Need inspiration? Check out these fun video examples:

1-Les Fo’Pafonds (video below) – some of what you see are great examples of found sound. They go above and beyond and make instruments out of found sound items – you don’t need to go to these great lengths but it will likely inspire you! I just can’t get enough of this group’s energy! So fun! (Find them on IG and Youtube)

2- Inbar Heyman

3- Andrew Huang

4- Need some more ideas? Here are a few tutorials! But honestly – just walk around your house and let your imagination run wild! You may find it “addicting”!

Let’s Make Music Together🥁

Come join one of our upcoming Joyful Rhythms Drum Circles—where community, creativity, and connection come alive.

🎵 Bring your Found Sound treasures (if noted on the event)
🎵 Or just bring yourself—we’ll provide drums, percussion, and extra found sound fun!
🎵 No experience needed. Just come with a willingness to explore, play, and connect with child-like wonder.

🎶 Remember – This is NOT just for kids—it’s a creative challenge for ALL ages!

This is about joy, imagination, and rhythm-making in commUNITY.
Let’s make some joyful noise…

One beat at a time.

Community Drumming event in collaboration with Diversity Coalation of SLO at SYYNNC Studio (no Found Sound…yet)

🔔 Note: Not all of our drum circles will include Found Sound. Be sure to check the description for each event on the calendar!

“Joyful Rhythms” – Facilitated Community Drum Circles

“Golden Rhythms” – Drumming for Health & Wellness: Senior Edition

“Rhythm YOUniversity” – Drumming for Health & Wellness

Request or Host  

Benefits of Group Drumming

SLO Life Magazine: “The Power of Drum Circles”

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Gratitude

Gift Certificates

Your Facilitator

Dee DiGioia is the founder of Mindful Kindful YOUniversity in Baywood-Los Osos and a passionate Drum Circle Facilitator, Sound Journey Guide, and mindfulness-based nature connection leader. Her expertise as a Drum Circle Facilitator has been honed through extensive training from world-renowned programs, including Arthur Hull’s Village Music Circles, Rhythm 2 Recovery (with Summer Lall), Drum Leadership Training (with Jim Donovan), Upbeat Drum Circles (with Christine Stevens), and HealthRHYTHMS (with Remo). Dee brings heart, rhythm, and purpose to every circle she leads. After retiring from a career in special education in 2024, she now devotes herself full-time to promoting peace and uplifting communities across San Luis Obispo County through rhythm, connection, and well-being.

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The Power of Sound for Co-Regulation in the Perinatal Period

The Power of Sound for Co-Regulation in the Perinatal Period

From the moment of conception, a mother and baby are in constant energetic and physiological communication. This intimate bond is a dance of rhythms—heartbeats, breath, hormones, emotions, and nervous system states. Sound becomes an extraordinary bridge in this dance, offering a shared vibration that nourishes both mother and child.

Co-Regulation Begins in the Womb

      • The baby senses and responds to the mother’s emotional state through biochemical and vibrational cues. Her stress or calm directly affects the baby’s developing nervous system.

      • Gentle, soothing sounds—especially those offered in a sound journey—help activate the mother’s parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” state), creating a calming environment for both.

      • When a mother listens to grounding tones like crystal singing bowls, ocean drums, or a steady heartbeat-like rhythm, her body settles, and this calm is biologically shared with her baby.

Sound as a Co-regulation Tool

      • Pre-natal benefits: Sound Journey sessions promote emotional regulation, lower cortisol levels, reduce anxiety, and increase oxytocin. These states create a womb environment rich in safety and connection.

      • Post-natal support: Newborns continue to co-regulate through the mother’s presence, voice, breath, and touch. Sound journeys can help a mother reset her own nervous system, especially during the intense early postpartum period.

      • Bonding through vibration: Repeated exposure to certain sounds or lullabies in utero can become familiar and comforting to a newborn post-birth, offering continuity and grounding.

Emotional & Energetic Resonance

A relaxed, emotionally attuned mother sends signals of safety, rhythm, and love—and sound is a direct pathway to amplify these states. Whether through harmonic resonance or intentional silence between sounds, a Sound Journey creates space for inner coherence that radiates outward to baby.

Perinatal Sound Journey Experiences

In April we began a weekly offering for classes alternating between locations in Los Osos and San Luis Obispo. Check our schedule for any updates. You can also schedule private sessions with Dee.

Join us for a soothing sound journey created especially for parents (including expectant parents), partners, and caregivers with babies up to one year old. This is a nourishing space for deep relaxation, bonding, and well-being for both you and your precious little one.

Commonly known as sound baths, these experiences feature gentle vibrations and calming harmonic tones from instruments such as crystal singing bowls, chimes, and soft rhythmic percussion. Loud or intensely vibrating sounds are avoided to ensure a nurturing and safe environment for sensitive little ears and nervous systems.

You’ll also be guided through light breathwork and vocal toning to support nervous system regulation, emotional connection, as well as stimulates cognitive and language development.

This is a comfortable, flexible space created with your needs in mind. Feel free to tend to your baby however needed—nurse, feed, change a diaper, walk, rock, or simply be present. You’re among others doing the same, with full permission to just be.

As babies become more mobile and curious, the experience may shift to include gentle movement and playful sound exploration.

Benefits of Sweet Lullabies Sound Journeys:

  • Soothing Vibrations for Babies – Infants are highly receptive to sound, and gentle tones mimic the comforting sensations of the womb, supporting relaxation and sleep.
  • Emotional Connection – Shared moments of sound and stillness strengthen the bond between caregivers and babies, fostering deeper attachment.
  • Relaxation for Caregivers – Parenting can be overwhelming; this experience offers a chance to pause, breathe, and reset, reducing stress and creating a more peaceful home environment.
  • Improved Sleep Cycles – The calming effects of sound can enhance sleep patterns for both babies and caregivers.
  • Regulated Breathing & Energy – Gentle rhythms and breathwork help caregivers feel grounded and present, while babies absorb the soothing energy around them.

***As with any wellness practice during pregnancy, we encourage listening to your body and consulting with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.***

As a holistic practitioner, my mission is to illuminate pathways to enhanced health and well-being through transformative experiences, including Sound Immersion Journeys, Facilitated Drumming Experiences, Song Circles, and Mindfulness-based Nature Retreats. Each offering creates a sacred space for nurturing and nourishing body, mind, and spirit while promoting therapeutic and holistic health benefits across mental, physical, and social dimensions of well-being, including stress relief. By sharing the sacred wisdom and evidence-based practices in my well-being offerings, I aim to do my part to help foster communities where mindfulness, kindfulness, and harmony flow freely, nurturing the well-being of all. More About Dee.

Public and private events offered throughout San Luis Obispo County.

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The Power of Drum Circles

I was recently surprised (in the best way!) by a participant from a family-friendly drum circle I recently co-hosted with The Diversity Coalition of SLO. Paden Hughes, the author of this article, reached out to let me know she wrote about the experience—and it was approved for the April/May issue of SLO Life Magazine! What an honor!

Read the article below or go to SLO Life Magazine and sign up for free!

Learn more about our YOUniversity Drum Circles!

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The Talent Show – Who Am I?

Talent Show – Who Am I?

Brené Brown once said, “I now see how owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do.” Today, I want to share my story—one that feels vulnerable but important to tell. My hope is that it resonates with you in some way and empowers you to find the courage to embrace your own story, your authenticity, and the gifts that make you who you are.

This summer, while attending a drum facilitator training camp, we were told that part of the experience would be a talent show. The following is a story I wrote and shared at the event.

When the announcement came, my inner dialogue kicked in, loud and clear: “Talent? We’re having a talent show? I don’t have talent… Or do I?”

I froze. My breath stopped. My body tensed as I sat with those words, over and over, during our breaks or while lying in bed. I noticed the weight of those thoughts, how they landed in my body, and I asked myself: Where was this message coming from?

Conditioning. Old wounds.

As a child, I felt terrified to be seen and heard. I had selective mutism, only speaking to family and close friends, but freezing whenever I had to speak in school or to people in the ‘outside’ world. It’s hard to describe what that felt like. It was as though I’d been spotted by a tiger, and my body went into fight, flight, or freeze mode—usually freeze. Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder, one that I’ve largely overcome, though it still reappears from time to time.

I often think of the chicken-and-egg dilemma: Which came first—the anxiety disorder or the trauma? It feels too simple to attribute it to just one cause because it’s far more complex than that. But in the interest of time, one piece of the trauma puzzle that I’ve been healing from my entire life was running from that ‘tiger’—my father’s belt—until I was cornered and froze.

The trauma? The anxiety? The mutism? I don’t know which came first, but I do know this: I was an extremely sensitive child. I was always told, “Don’t be so sensitive,” as if my sensitivity was a flaw. But my sensitivity also connected me to the world in deep ways. I cried at everything—TV commercials, Disney movies. When Bambi lost his mother or when Dumbo was mistreated, it was too much for my sensitive heart. In many ways, I now realize, I was like those characters—abandoned and abused.

As a child, I found solace in nature and I could spend hours playing in the woods, climbing trees, exploring paths, and floating in water. I was deeply attuned to the sights, sounds, and smells of nature, and how they soothed me. But as I grew older, I lost that connection. I lost a part of myself. Adulting happened, and I found myself in and out of marriages and relationships that repeated abusive patterns—until I finally broke the chain. Because it broke me.

Little by little, step by step, year by year, I began learning and practicing modalities that helped me heal. I reconnected with the things that brought me back to myself. Back to that little girl who found comfort in the rhythms and pulses of life, who longed to reconnect with love, harmony, and peace.

So, talent… I don’t know. What talent do I have to share?

I’m not a drummer…

but I drum.

I’m not a dancer…

but I dance.

I’m not a singer…

but I sing.

I’m not a fighter…

but I fight.

I fight the voices that tell me who I am NOT.

So, let me start over.

Hi, I’m Dee DiGioia.
DiGioia means ‘joy,’ – it’s a name I chose as part of my journey.

I am a drummer, and I will drum with you any day.
I will bring the joy of drumming to others in my community and beyond, encouraging those who, like me, have always wanted to drum but were afraid to try because we didn’t feel talented enough.

I am a dancer, and I will move without hesitation to connect with the universal rhythm of life itself—because it feels good and helps heal the frozen parts of me locked in fear.

I am a singer, and I will sing whenever I feel called, letting my heart and my voice harmonize with the earth, the wind, the water, the fire… and with you.

And now, I’d like to share a gift with you—a simple verse of a song. If you feel moved, I invite you to join in because, together, we are better. Add your voice, your harmony, and your spirit.

“Do what you love and love what you do,
And all good things will come to you.”

[Note: We sang these verses over and over at the Talent Show. Perhaps one day, we’ll sing it together! Learn about our new “Song Circle“!]

 

We often think we’re alone on our path, but we’re not. After sharing my story at camp, many people came up to me and thanked me for my vulnerability. They related to bits and pieces, or encouraged me to keep up my talent for writing!

So here I am, still writing. Still fighting. Still sensitive. Still drumming, dancing, and singing my way back to joy, back to me, with all of you. ~ Dee DiGioia

 

This is a commercial that used to always choke me up when I was a little girl and I would have to leave the room to gather “control” of my emotions.

Below is the original song (without Coca Cola reference above).

 

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Aligning the Rhythms of the Sun with Sound Healing

Aligning the Rhythms of the Sun with Sound Healing

How Natural Cycles Enhance Holistic Well-Being

Photo by Dee DiGioia – golden hour through the fog on the bay

Integrating rhythms into your life, whether through natural cycles or intentional practices, can contribute to a balanced, healthy, and fulfilling life. Our weekly “Sunset Re-set” Sound Journeys have been a pleasant way to create rhythm and harmony in life and living. The rhythms of the sun and sound healing can align in several profound ways, enhancing the overall impact of sound healing practices. Here are some key alignments:

1. Circadian Rhythms and Sound Healing

      • Morning Sessions: The rising sun signals the start of the day, aligning with the body’s natural wakefulness and energy. Morning sound healing sessions can invigorate and set a positive tone for the day.
      • Evening Sessions: As the sun sets, the body prepares for rest and recuperation. Evening sound healing can promote relaxation, reduce stress, and aid in preparing for restful sleep.

2. Seasonal Rhythms

      • Winter: Shorter days and longer nights can be a time for introspection and deep healing. Sound healing can provide comfort and help cope with seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
      • Summer: Longer days and more sunlight contribute to higher energy levels and mood. Sound healing in this season can harness this energy for transformative and uplifting experiences.

3. Daily Rhythms

      • Solar Noon: Midday, when the sun is at its peak, is a powerful time for energizing and revitalizing sound healing sessions. This time aligns with high alertness and activity.
      • Golden Hour: The hours just after sunrise and just before sunset, known as the golden hours, are considered spiritually potent and ideal for meditative and calming sound healing practices.
Photo by Dee DiGioia – Shadow dancing at golden hour with my hanging drum.

4. Lunar and Solar Cycles

      • New Moon: A time for setting intentions and new beginnings. Sound healing during this phase can help clarify goals and focus intentions.
      • Full Moon: A time of culmination and heightened energy. Sound healing can aid in releasing what no longer serves and harnessing the full moon’s power for manifestation.

5. Harmonics and Resonance

The sun emits solar radiation, which has a rhythmic quality. Sound healing, which uses vibrations and frequencies, can resonate with these natural rhythms, enhancing their effectiveness. For example:

        • Frequency and Light: Certain frequencies used in sound healing can correspond to the frequencies of sunlight, creating a harmonious interplay that can enhance the healing experience.
        • Chakras and Sun Energy: In some traditions, the sun’s energy is linked to specific chakras, particularly the solar plexus chakra. Sound healing can be tailored to resonate with these chakras, promoting balance and healing.
Photo by Dee DiGioia – Golden hour gong

6. Psychological and Emotional Impact

      • Sunlight and Mood: Exposure to sunlight boosts serotonin levels, improving mood. Combining sound healing with sun exposure can amplify this effect, leading to a greater sense of well-being and emotional balance.

7. Integration with Nature

      • Outdoor Sound Healing: Conducting sound healing sessions outdoors during sunrise or sunset can enhance the connection to natural rhythms and the environment, deepening the healing experience.

By aligning sound healing practices with the rhythms of the sun, you can create a more holistic and impactful healing experience, tapping into the natural cycles that govern our physical and emotional well-being.

Learn about our Sound Journeys – both public group events and private sessions for individuals, couples or groups.

~ Dee DiGioia, founder of Mindful Kindful YOUniversity in Baywood-Los Osos, is a dedicated practitioner and guide in mindfulness, sound healing, and life skills for well-being through nature connectedness. Her expertise as a Drum Circle Facilitator has been honed through extensive training, including programs such as “Rhythm 2 Recovery” with Summer Lall, “Drum Leadership Training” with Jim Donovan, and Arthur Hull of “Village Music Circles”, a pioneer in drum facilitation. Continually advancing her skills in drumming and sound healing, Dee recently transitioned from a full-time role in special education to fully concentrate on expanding her outreach and YOUniversity services promoting health and well-being across San Luis Obispo County.

 

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Resonance of Connection: The Gifted Drum’s Journey

Resonance of Connection: The Gifted Drum’s Journey

In the quiet corner of my home sanctuary, where I sat working on Drum Circle outreach, there came a moment that stirred the very essence of “community”.

It began with a simple invitation—an offering of rhythm and connection amidst the stillness in our peaceful neighborhood. Our very first drum circle beckoned (last July ’23), and while most neighbors smiled politely and excused themselves from the unfamiliar gathering, there was one couple who accepted the invitation, if only briefly. They delicately attempted to convey that it wasn’t something they typically engaged in “down in L.A.”, mindful of not causing offense.

So it was a complete surprise when, a year later, a knock on my door, and there was my neighbor carrying a humble yet significant gift—an old drum, weathered by time and rescued from obscurity. 

Our neighbor explained its journey—a salvage from the discard pile, which he rescued, cleaned, and oiled with care in order to share it with me. He spoke of its origins in Oklahoma, perhaps crafted by a renowned Native American artist whose signature was etched on its thick wooden frame. “Perhaps you’ll appreciate this,” he humbly offered.

As I cradled the drum in reverence, its worn spots whispered tales of resilience and quiet dignity. It spoke of journeys taken, of voices silenced, and of a longing to be heard once more. In that moment, the drum ceased to be a mere instrument; it became a vessel of stories, a conduit for healing.

At our recent drumming gathering, surrounded by the rhythmic heartbeat of friends and strangers alike, I shared its tale. With each beat, I wove a narrative of empathy and understanding—a testament to the strength found in unity and the healing power of shared expression.

Backside

“We’ve all been ‘down in the dumps,'” I explained, my heart carrying the weight of shared experience. “Or perhaps you have also felt times when you didn’t have a voice. That no one wants to hear what you have to say. But here, within this drum and within each of us, lies a voice waiting to be heard. Let us embrace its story, its spirit, and come together in compassion for those facing their own trials.”

And so we listened to the steady rhythm and welcomed the drum into our circle. Its voice resonated, carrying with it the echoes of resilience and the promise of renewal. In its still sturdy frame and its weathered, timeworn hide, we found a reflection of our own journeys—a reminder that even amidst adversity, there is beauty and strength waiting to be uncovered.

“The drumbeat voices our connection to all creation. When we drum together it strengthens our connection to each other. The rhythm of creation is the harmony of humanity, and where there is harmony there is peace.” (-“from The Grandmother Drum”)

In deepest gratitude, we drummed. Not just for ourselves, but for all who seek solace and connection. For in the heartbeat of community, we find the courage to heal, to uplift, and to honor the voices that too often go unheard.

~Dee DiGioia, “Joyful Rhythms” Drum Circles

See also: Call of the Drum: A Journey of Rhythm, Community, and Transformation

 


Dee DiGioia, founder of Mindful Kindful YOUniversity in Baywood-Los Osos, is a dedicated practitioner and guide in mindfulness, sound healing, and life skills for well-being through nature connectedness. Her expertise as a Drum Circle Facilitator has been honed through extensive training, including programs such as “Rhythm 2 Recovery” with Summer Lall, “Drum Leadership Training” with Jim Donovan, and Arthur Hull of “Village Music Circles”, a pioneer in drum facilitation. Continually advancing her skills in drumming and sound healing, Dee recently transitioned from a full-time role in special education to fully concentrate on expanding her outreach and services promoting health and well-being across San Luis Obispo County.

 

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Call of the Drum: A Journey of Rhythm, Community, and Transformation

Call of the Drum: A Journey of Rhythm, Community, and Transformation

One year ago, I stood at a crossroads a few weeks ahead of my July birthday, unsure of how to mark the passing of another year. I told David, my partner, about my decades-long desire to join a drum circle. The rhythmic beats had always beckoned to me, but fear and uncertainty held me back. With David’s encouragement, I dared to dream bigger: why not host my own drum gathering?

So it was decided. Invitations were sent out to friends and subscribers, urging them to bring drums or home-made drum-like creations to our potluck celebration.

As the day unfolded, my heart pounded with a mix of excitement and apprehension. Would anyone come? Would they enjoy it? How do I even “do” this? What was I thinking?

To my joyous surprise, the evening became a symphony of laughter, rhythm, and newfound connections. Some brought spare drums, others fashioned makeshift percussion from household items. We drummed with abandon, feasted together, and shared stories around our little firepit. As the last beats faded, someone asked, “Can we do this again?”

And so, a monthly tradition was born—a vibrant tapestry of old friends and new faces, united by the pulsating heartbeat of our drum circle. In those early days, I stumbled through rhythms and beats, unsure yet undeterred. Each gathering became a canvas where strangers became friends and music became a language of the soul.

Little did I know that this simple decision would ignite a transformative journey. From that first hesitant strike of the drum, my life has unfurled into a kaleidoscope of rhythms and melodies. I’ve immersed myself in drumming trainings, from Denver, to online, to the upcoming training in Hawaii with Arthur Hull, who ignited this facilitated drumming concept over 30 years ago. My modest drum collection (starting at 0 one year ago) has blossomed into a riotous assembly of well over 40-50 instruments—each with its own story and soulful resonance.

Image from our first drum circle!

But it’s not just about the drums; it’s about the people. Together, we’ve woven a community where healing thrives, joy resonates, and laughter echoes through every beat. Hearts have mended, spirits have soared, and connections have deepened with every circle we form.

As I stand on the cusp of “tomorrow”, my heart brims with gratitude for each person who has shared in this odyssey. With every passing month, the circle widens, embracing new possibilities and unforeseen horizons. I eagerly await the unwritten chapters of this adventure, knowing that each beat carries us closer to the heart of human connection.

And so, with a drum in hand and a soul filled with rhythm, I march forward—towards the unknown, towards a future where the drumbeat of community continues to guide my path. ~Dee DiGioia

Post Script:

This beautiful drum (image above) was recently gifted to me and has a story of it’s own. You can read about it here: Resonance of Compassion: The Gifted Drum’s Journey to Healing

If you have not yet joined our “Joyful Rhythms” Drum Circles, I truly hope you will!  Enjoy the photo gallery below.

~Dee DiGioia, “Joyful Rhythms” Drum Circles

Photo Gallery

My first drum – happy birthday to me, July 2023
This beautiful djembe was donated to me and is my very favorite drum that I use as my own. Since the djembe originated in Africa I chose to name my drum “Keisha” which means “great joy.”
This drum was donated and used as our “Joyful Rhythms” mascot and reminder that this is all about having FUN!
Just some of the inventory of our drums that participants are welcome to borrow during our Circles. Many of these were donated.
Just some of the inventory of our drums that participants are welcome to borrow during our Circles.
Just some of the inventory of our drums that participants are welcome to borrow during our Circles. The ones on the bottom are “tubano” style and are nesting drums (2 others stacked within).
Our gathering drum has become a favorite!
Learn more about “Joyful Rhythms” by clicking on the image. Join us! Public and private events throughout San Luis Obispo County.

 

Dee DiGioia, founder of Mindful Kindful YOUniversity in Baywood-Los Osos, is a dedicated practitioner and guide in mindfulness, sound healing, and life skills for well-being through nature connectedness. Her expertise as a Drum Circle Facilitator has been honed through extensive training, including programs such as “Rhythm 2 Recovery” with Summer Lall, “Drum Leadership Training” with Jim Donovan, and Arthur Hull of “Village Music Circles”, a pioneer in drum facilitation. Continually advancing her skills in drumming and sound healing, Dee recently transitioned from a full-time role in special education to fully concentrate on expanding her outreach and services promoting health and well-being across San Luis Obispo County.

 

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Flowing and Growing Through Life

Flowing and Growing Through Life

The process of becoming

Once again, we come full circle to the summer solstice—a time to reflect on cherished memories, and to nurture hopes and dreams for this season of the year and for this season of your life.

Nature, in its seamless cycles, offers us profound lessons on transformation. The transition from one season to another, the rhythm of day turning into night, and the calming of storms all illustrate that change is not an abrupt event but a continuous process. Each element in nature plays its part in an ongoing dance of transformation. A fallen leaf decomposes and enriches the soil, which in turn nourishes new plants. Similarly, a pine cone can either nurture wildlife or give rise to a new tree. These natural processes highlight that what seems like an end is merely a step in the journey of becoming.

Personal Evolution and Self-Discovery In our own lives, we frequently encounter moments that compel us to reflect on who we are and who we are becoming. Challenges, milestones, and pivotal events serve as catalysts for introspection and growth. These experiences often prompt us to question our identity and our path.

The Concept of Un-Becoming  Paul Coehlo, author of “The Alchemist” wrote, “Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about un-becoming everything that isn’t really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.” The idea of “un-becoming” suggests shedding layers of ourselves that are not aligned with our true essence. It is about letting go of societal expectations, conditioned behaviors, and false identities that obscure our true nature. By un-becoming, we create space to rediscover our authentic selves.

Embracing True Nature Discovering or rediscovering our true nature involves deep introspection and a willingness to confront and release what no longer serves us. It requires us to tune into our inner voice and values, and to live in alignment with our authentic self. This journey of becoming involves showing up in life in a way that reflects our true nature, be it in health, relationships, or other life circumstances.

Practical Steps for Transformation

  1. Mindfulness and Reflection: Regular practices of mindfulness and reflection can help us stay connected with our true selves. Journaling, meditation, and spending time in nature are effective ways to cultivate awareness.
  2. Letting Go: Identify and release beliefs, habits, and patterns that do not resonate with your true self. This can be a gradual process, requiring patience and self-compassion.
  3. Embracing Change: View challenges and changes as opportunities for growth. Embrace them with an open mind and heart, trusting in the process of transformation.
  4. Nurturing Relationships: Surround yourself with people who support and inspire your journey of becoming. Positive relationships can provide encouragement and perspective.
  5. Living Authentically: Make choices that align with your values and true nature. This might involve setting boundaries, pursuing passions, or taking risks that feel right for you.
  6. Sound and Connection at the YOUniversity: Our bodies, like finely tuned instruments, resonate with the vibrations of life around us. By aligning ourselves with these natural frequencies, we can achieve a state of harmony and balance. Modern science and ancient wisdom both emphasize the importance of this alignment, highlighting techniques that transform energy, promote wellness, and foster deep connections. At the YOUniversity, we offer unique experiences that merge modern science and ancient wisdom to transform energy and promote wellness, including: Sound Journeys,  “Joyful Rhythms” Drum Circles, Song Circles, and Nature Retreats.

By embracing the concept of un-becoming, we open ourselves to the endless possibilities of who we can become. Just as nature transforms, so do we, continually evolving and becoming more aligned with our true selves.

BeYOUtiful!

Check out our upcoming events to support you throughout each season of your life!

Offered year-round in Los Osos, CA and various locations throughout San Luis Obispo County. Visitors to the beautiful central coast of CA are welcome!

Public and custom private events! Inquire about hosting an event!

See ALL of our events on our CALENDAR page 

~Dee DiGioia, Founder of “Mindful Kindful YOUniversity”  / Sound Healing Practitioner / Drum Circle Facilitator / Mindfulness & Life Skills Guide for Well-being through Nature Connectedness Retreats

~ Additional Inspirations ~

Everything in the universe changes energy all the time. What falls apart becomes source. It’s an exchange. There’s no judgment. There’s no positive or negative. It’s just energy transforming.

Let Nature and the elements support you.

Engage in the practice of releasing dense, heavy energy. Allow the wind to carry it away, let it drift downstream in a river, transform it through the power of fire, or compost it into the earth. In exchange, invite lighter, transformational energy to enter your being. Feel nourished and renewed by this natural process of release and renewal. ~ Dee DiGioia

“What if the task is simply to unfold, to become who you already are in your essential nature: gentle, compassionate and capable of living fully and passionately present?” ~ Oriah Mountain Dreamer

“When you go out into the woods, and you look at trees, you see all these different trees. And some of them are bent, and some of them are straight, and some of them are evergreens, and some of them are whatever. And you look at the tree and you allow it. You see why it is the way it is. You sort of understand that it didn’t get enough light, and so it turned that way. And you don’t get all emotional about it. You just allow it. You appreciate the tree.

The minute you get near humans, you lose all that. And you are constantly saying ‘You are too this, or I’m too this.’ That judgment mind comes in. And so I practice turning people into trees. Which means appreciating them just the way they are.”  ~Ram Dass

“The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition. Each time, you’ll learn something. Each time, you’ll develop strength, wisdom, and perspective. Each time, a little more of the competition falls away. Until all that is left is you: the best version of YOU.” ~Ryan Holiday

“When all is said and done, life is the real curriculum. Life itself is the real curriculum. And how we are in relationship to this very moment is the real meditation practice.” ~Jon Kabat-Zinn

 

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Mother’s Day Drawing – Win a Free Sound Journey!

Mother’s Day Drawing!

Are you looking for a way to treat a mother you know to a truly relaxing and restorative experience? Look no further!

Nominate a mother for a chance to win

Whether it’s yourself, your wife, your mother, or an amazing caregiver you know, anyone can be nominated.

The deadline for entries is noon on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 12th, so don’t delay! The winner will be contacted and can choose between the two options, both of which will take place at Mindful Kindful YOUniversity in Baywood-Los Osos.

CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT FORM

 

I wanted to remind you that I also offer the option to order gift certificates for that special mother in your life or schedule a private sound journey session. I’m dedicated to providing a personalized and exceptional experience for each of my guests, and I believe that our gift certificates and private sessions are a perfect way to show your loved ones how much you care. Don’t hesitate to reach out to learn more about these options and how I can help you make your loved one’s day extra special (for any occasion)!

Questions? Contact Dee DiGioia 805-270-5523

Be the first to hear about our upcoming events and offers!
Learn more about our Sound Journeys!
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Out of Chaos and Into Discovery

Change can be hard. Very hard.

Change can feel like chaos and a huge disruption in your life.

And change can also be transformative. Both can be true.

Deepak Chopra says “Every great change is preceded by chaos.” It’s a good reminder to stay the course because something great is coming, so get excited. For what? That’s for you to discover!

Sometimes change is not a choice we would have made if given the opportunity to choose. And sometimes change is the choice we make. When change is not our choice it may feel like things, or you, are “out of control”. The global pandemic which began in 2020 is a perfect example! Not one of us has been a willing participant, right? But the thing we do have control over is how we respond to the changes. Do we fight it or struggle with it? Do we accept it, adapt to it? Sometimes the very thing that changes, the thing that we try to control, or fight to keep the same, has turned into something positive which came as a result of that chaos. Sometimes the change leads to expanded opportunities for personal growth, relationships, or discoveries you may never have made if this change had not happened. 

Out of the pandemic chaos I found ways to connect to family who live far away in ways I was not previously doing which helped us to be more closely connected. I grew closer to my community as a result of its efforts to support one another and, from that, it helped me to meet some dear people I have developed beautiful friendships with. 

Out of the chaos came my earnest efforts to connect more deeply and spiritually with nature and finding my greatest support for my mental health and well-being. This led me on a path of studying eco-psychology and forest bathing which I now offer through nature-based mindfulness retreats. Being in stillness and coming into coherence with nature’s vibrations have also led me on a path to study sound healing, another vibrational forces to bring mind and body into balance through the the vibrations of crystal singing bowls at various healing frequencies.  I am excited to utilize my new learnings for my own healing and to support my own self-care practices, as well as for sharing with you in the coming months.

Additionally, out of the chaos of the pandemic, some chaos within my own home was also stirred up which led to re-evaluating a long term relationship with my partner. When the chaos did not settle, I knew it was time to make a significant change and close that chapter. When the decision was made and we parted, my home became a safe and healing refuge which I am deeply grateful for. Funny – what prevented me from breaking up was the worry of feeling alone, even unhealthy as it was, but once alone I felt at one with all that is good and right in the universe. I was lonelier in the relationship than I was after ending it! This change was exactly what I needed but I resisted it for years!

Of course one change can create a cascade of changes. This change meant other changes too – most notably with my work situation. I have had to return to full time work as a speech-language therapist in the public schools. I thought I had stepped away for good, but as it turns out, it was there, available for me when I needed it. So I am secure with a new job and yet, with all new things, there are changes. Many changes. I have lots of adjusting to do, and I have lots and lots to learn in my new position which has put me well out of my comfort zone. 

I’ll be honest – it feels like chaos. But this time, I feel different. I feel fortified and empowered to turn to all the tools and resources and supports I have been teaching about for many years for resilience and well-being through selfcare. Being empowered does not mean it isn’t hard and it doesn’t mean I don’t have my meltdowns of tears and doubts. Change is hard. In fact, it feels like a thousand piece puzzle was dumped on the floor in front of me and I’m supposed to have it all put together in an all-too-short time frame. It feels impossible at the moment. Change is hard. And… I can do hard things. One piece, one choice at a time. I am possible. It is possible. Friedrich Nietzsche said

“One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star.”

I’m looking forward to moving past this chaos and discovering the light and goodness that will eventually shine, and for the beautiful ways I can connect with the children, families, and staff whose lives I will intermingle with at my school, as well as in my life. With patience and persistence my doubts will turn to confidence, my fear will turn to courage, and my worries will settle because everything changes. The chaos will settle. I will be transformed. Discoveries await. I’m excited. 

I know many of you are also going through changes and chaos and challenges. I’m excited to have you on this journey with me. Once in a while it’s ok to look back and notice how far you’ve come. Celebrate. And keep moving forward –  choosing one step, one puzzle piece at a time. Do what you can. 

Continue to learn about taking care of your mind, body, and heart. You can control how you respond to emotions that show up, to the thoughts that persist, and to the situations and people which may feel like chaos and confusion in your life, while also choosing to look at the good that has or will come out of this. Connect to the things and people in life who support you rather than drain you. I’ll be here cheering you on. 

Please let me know how I might support you! And feel free to share your discoveries.  ~ Dee DiGioia

Dee DiGioia is founder of Mindful Kindful YOUniversity. Learn, practice, and grow skillfully with us through “Mindful Explorers” school web-based programs, and through our adult retreats and sound healing by the sea, in the forest, or at my home in Los Osos, CA (San Luis Obispo County). Mindfulness and movement grounded in science and backed by research to support mental and physical health and well-being. Respond more skillfully to life in the 21st Century!

Stay up to date on announcements:

 

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Loosening knots of stress

Other than being in a forest or in the mountains, walking on a beach is my gateway to feeling soul-level peace ~ especially on a quiet, uncrowded beach where I happen to have lots of access to on the beautiful central coast of California. Although I frequent many of my favorite same beaches for my walks, I always know it’s going to be a different experience each time. I often think of Maya Angelou’s quote ‘This is a wonderful day, I have never seen this one before.’ How true that is because the tide, the winds and weather, the seasons all have a role in what the beach will look like each time. I feel like a child with wild curiosity and anticipation of what will be awaiting discovery and welcome it all. Some days many sand dollars may have washed up, another day lots of stones are exposed, and another day moon jellies, or even the contour of the beach can be significantly changed.

Also quite notable is the varying amounts of beach wrack from day to day. Beach wrack is the scientific term for the seaweed and seagrasses that the ocean waves wash up onto the beach.

Some days there are just a few uncomplicated strands gracing the sandy shore…

…while other days, the beach wrack looks like a catastrophe –  a giant, tangled, twisty, heavy mess wound tightly into unbreakable knots. 

Expectations vs Acceptance

When I first moved to the central coast I remember the initial feeling of judging the “ugliness” of the beach wrack and wondered why “they” didn’t clean the beaches here. On the next breath, catching myself in this judgmental attitude and tendency, like many of us, to have expectations of how things “should be”. I suppose I had the image of a tropical beach with its white sandy shores. But I moved to the central coact of California and this coast has its own way of showing up in the world apart from my expectations. Living with an attitude of expectations is certain to disappoint. Expectations add tension… and knots within. Acceptance of “what is” allows us to see life for what it is and be open to infinite possibilities and gifts. Of course these thoughts and insight were all within a minute and I dropped those expectations. Afterall, nature has a way of softening the heart!

I returned to my curious nature and became inquisitive – why is there so much sea wrack here? Why is there more some days than others? My curiosity helped me to learn that the beach wrack has an important place and role in the cycle of life as it creates a unique coastal ecosystem. It creates shelter and a food source for the kelp flies and other organisms on the sandy beach. In turn some sea birds feed on the organisms. As the wrack decomposes, it provides nutrients which decomposes which becomes beneficial to the kelp and other plants that grow offshore. Furthermore it has an important role acting as a natural barrier to storm surges and large waves- by holding sand that would otherwise be taken away with the wind and surf. It helps create dunes that can act as a structural support for other plants being established on the beach. For these reasons, beach wrack can be considered an important player in protecting coastal communities. Of course the kelp forests in the ocean provide so many benefits as well. 

Appreciation

It didn’t take long to begin to appreciate the different patterns temporarily left like art, Nature’s art, whenever I visited! We can be mere observers of these delightful patterns, shapes, and colors which are present in this moment only and will be erased and re-arranged the next time by the tides and the weather. Being in awe and gratitude is a lovely and healthier way to counter an attitude of expectations and trying to control things which can’t be controlled. 

Stress knots

On one of my beach walks a few weeks ago, when I saw some massive tangled, knotted heaps of beach wrack it brought to mind some similarities when it comes to stress. Stress comes in all sizes and shapes that come and go in our lives like the waves washing up the beach wrack! It may be a singular strand of a stressor that shows up, or it can be a complex tangle of stressors from your day, your week, or your life. Sometimes we use the term “nerve-wracking” to describe how stressful something is/was — those things that are struggles or challenges causing stress, anxiety; irritation, anger, annoyances or even unhelpful ways of thinking. And quite often when we feel “wound up” or stressed we get tension headaches or our muscles get tight in our neck and shoulders and become knots. 

Make an offering of your “package”

We can connect our experiences to this metaphor of the beach wrack and ask ourselves, What are the tangled knots in my  life? What is that “thing” or things that keep returning like the beach wrack washed up on shore? Sometimes it’s one thing, and other times it’s a big tangled mess, wound tightly with a pile of other stressors that seems to go on and on and weigh us down. Sometimes we go on with our day or week or lives without stopping to notice the knots winding around and around one another until something happens… impacting moods, attitudes, relationships, sleep, and even creating physical pain or health issues. Living mindfully helps us notice these things so we can take care of the knots as we begin to notice them tightening or growing massively! 

When we come to the “end of our rope”….when we are at the point of “I can’t do this” or “I don’t know what to do”, we can put “it” down, trusting the guidance of someone or something else to guide our next steps and help loosen the knots.

Let nature be your guide. If you are open, if you are truly present with the experience of being out in nature you can open all your senses one by one to facilitate a deeper connection with nature and all it has to reveal. Receptiveness allows for spaciousness within and this spaciousness allows for wisdom and creativity to take shape. This is when you may receive a message, an idea, an answer, or an inspiration and become a participant in creatively connecting with nature and your own heart in a deeper way and loosening the grip of the constricting knots.

The slow reveal ~ a package in it’s new form

One of my favorite “activities” to share at our nature retreats, is creating the opportunity for our participants to tap into this creative space, to open up to this spaciousness, to loosen the knots, and to tell a story through their symbolic art of what came up for them in the “slow reveal.” 

Reminders from the sea

By pausing, connecting, and paying attention, we find healthy ways to take care of ourselves. Nature and mindfulness are a powerful combination to show us how to let go of worries or other strong emotions, our piles of “to-do’s” and expectations. Welcome nature as your guide in revealing how to let go and loosen those knots and take to heart some of these reminders from the sea:

Take time to relax and coast

Let cares drift away

Sea life’s beauty

Adapt to changing tides

Hang loose

Sea treasure in simple things

I found this “tangle” just as you see it – a rather lovely message that will mean something different to each one of us. May your heart be nourished by Nature’s whispers!

 

“Discovering this idyllic place,

we find ourselves filled with a yearning to linger here,

where time stands still and beauty overwhelms.”

~ Vincent Van Gogh

Join our mini-retreats, including our nature retreats for a few hours of dropping anchor and allowing nature to hold and nourish you. We meet at various locations by the sea,  or into the forest on the central Coast of California, San Luis Obispo County  ~ LEARN MORE

Dee DiGioia, founder of Mindful Kindful YOUniversity, offers Mindfulness-based Social-Emotional Learning Programs across San Luis Obispo County (and virtual) for youth and adults to learn and engage in practices of mindfulness and movement grounded in science and backed by research to support mental and physical health and well-being. Respond more skillfully to life in the 21st Century!

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Teach children compassion towards birds

It is such a blessing to live near the coast and I never, ever take it for granted. The natural beauty of the coastline nourishes my heart and soul and fills me with awe and deeply felt gratitude. Taking walks on the beach and connecting to nature is my go-to practice for de-stressing. I always come home refreshed and uplifted. One of the blessings and highlights of walking is observing all the coastal birds that live here on the Central Coast of California (or visit here on their migratory paths). It is a privilege and a joy to witness them in flight, feeding, foraging, singing, building nests, and feeding their babies… Sometimes I take videos or photos as a way to savor the moment a bit longer.

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Living on the coast means sharing the coast with the birds who depend on nature’s resources for survival. Living on the coast also means sharing with others who come here: visitors, tourists, vacationers, or people coming from the hotter interior of our state to enjoy a refreshing day at the beach. Although my beach walks help me to de-stress, this can be interrupted with stressful things to navigate such as finding less busy stretches of beach so it’s quieter and less hectic – fortunately I know some areas which are much less crowded. It’s nice to know that most people who come to visit are also enjoying and appreciating the beautiful coastline and wildlife experience. 

photo by Dee DiGioia ~ great blue heron

 

When I saw an article headline this morning “How To Approach Birds Without Scaring Them” I thought of the one thing that always “zings” my stress meter and hurts my heart: when I see a child, or group of children, chasing birds who are foraging and feeding on the beaches… and no one saying anything to help the child learn that it’s not okay.  I know many of you belileve this is “harmless” and “good fun” and many of you will argue and present justification why it’s “no big deal”. I disagree whole heartedly and would like to suggest using this as an opportunity to teach kindness and compassion AND to teach an alternative approach that fosters respect and awe. Help cultivate a sense of stewardship rather than domination.

Chasing birds is not okay and should never be acceptable. It is unkind, disrespectful, and can be distressing and traumatizing for the birds. It can cause parents to abandon their nesting areas and babies, or fall prey to other predators due to exhaustion. By allowing children to chase birds we are sending the message that it’s acceptable to frighten them – they get a surge in the brain of “pleasure” from this cause and effect. When they get bored of this, what will they do next time to feel that “pleasure”? Sometimes chasing turns into throwing things at them.  It turns to laughter and sometimes shared laughter further ingraining the “okayness” of this activity. What other animals will they chase or taunt? By practicing empathy and compassion in our relationship with animals, we are also instilling these values and relationships with people!

I am NOT saying every child who chases birds has mal-intent. They just may unaware of the impact it has. Model empathy and concern for the bird. Help your child imagine how many times a day birds are having to be alert for other birds trying to take their food, or take them out as food. Why would we want to add one more stressor to their day? Multiply that one chase by all the people walking by them, and worse, chasing them, throughout the day. According to the National PTA Congress, “Children trained to extend justice, kindness, and mercy to animals become more just, kind, and considerate in their relations to each other. Character training along these lines will result in men and women of broader sympathies; more humane, more lawabiding, in every respect more valuable citizens.”

In another blog I wrote a few years ago about kids taunting a seagull I shared this important quote:

Studies have shown that children learn cruel and violent behavior from those around them, and that animal abuse often precedes violence toward other people. Indeed, in almost every major act of violence, from the Columbine massacre to serial killings, authorities have found animal abuse in the perpetrator’s background. This common origin of violence perpetrated against animals and against people makes it imperative that we teach compassion and demonstrate concern for all living things. By the time young people exhibit cruel behavior toward animals it is often very difficult to change that behavior, making it essential that adults in every part of the community help children learn to treat animals with kindness. While not every child who is cruel to a pet grows up to be a criminal, there is a strong correlation between cruel behavior toward animals and lack of empathy for human beings. *

*From Be Kind to Animals: Encouraging Compassion through Humane Education
photo by Dee DiGioia ~ even birds rest and take in the serenity of their surroundings!

 

It is our adult responsibility to help impart this wisdom on our children, beginning with the first time they chase a bird. Even a baby in diapers crawling towards a bird we can lovingly scoop them in our arms and whisper “Oooo! Pretty bird. Let’s watch! Look at those beautiful white feathers.”  Model a gentle and respectful way to engage with, and share space and time with these diverse creatures through observation, appreciation, and awe. Look, listen, and feel connected. We can let nature be our teacher. You can be the bridge and help guide children on a lifelong journey of compassionate engagement with all of life, from feathered beings, to furry beings, to human beings. Let us be kind and be loving.

Model Mindful, Kindful, Peaceful Engagement with Birds:

  • Cultivate curiosity, focus, and appreciation while observing birds. What do they look like, sound like, and behave like from a safe and respectful distance? Do we always have to approach or can we just watch?
  • Cultivate appreciation, attention to detail, and connectedness by sketching/drawing or taking photos. Or simply observe.
  • Cultivate awareness and sensitivity by observing their behaviors when they are relaxed vs stressed and backing off if they are showing signs of stress. Learn tips for getting closer for observation, photography, or sketching (learn more: https://nature-mentor.com/how-to-approach-birds/)
  • Cultivate curiosity and love of learning ~ learn identification and interesting facts via books/apps.
  • Cultivate awareness, stewardship, and wisdom – notice posted signs about staying out of fragile nesting areas or about refraining from feeding birds human food (such as bread) for your own amusement. There’s reasons we may nothing about.
  • Cultivate compassion, caring, and stewardship by encouraging birds to come to your backyard with bird feeders, bird baths, trees, flowers or other ways you have learned.
  • Learn about Wildlife Rehab Centers in your own area such as the Pacific Wildlife Care Center in Morro Bay, CA

 

photo by Dee DiGioia – black bellied plover

ADDITIONAL READING:

“Am I Being too Sensitive?” A few summers ago I wrote…

“Am I being too sensitive?” The thought crossed my mind the other day following an upsetting incident near the end of my walk on the beach. I dug deep within and listened for my answer. What came up was a mighty voice roaring within — “I would rather be ‘too sensitive’ than not have any, or enough, sensitivity!” I was fighting through some tears and trying to calm my agitated mind and distraught heart. I had just encountered three children, likely siblings, ranging from about 5 years to 12 years, who were taunting a very sick seagull. > READ MORE <

‘Let’Em Rest, Let’Em Nest’ Set to Save Shorebirds

“When the birds are on our beaches it’s like a layover when traveling on an airplane — they haven’t reached their destination yet and they are tired, hungry and desperate to rest and refuel. Any disturbance to migrating birds during their time spent on the S.C. coast can be life-threatening. Extra strength used to escape or fend off intruders, being chased by dogs or children, or even scarcity of food and habitat can derail a bird’s migration and nesting. The best thing we can do is simply to let ‘em rest, and let ‘em nest and give the birds plenty of space so they don’t feel threatened,” Schillerstrom adds. “For these birds, it’s the difference between life and death.” > READ MORE <

Nine Ways To Share The Beach With Shorebirds This Summer

Birds on the Beach

Learn about our outdoor Summer 2021 series

“Nourished by Nature”

Retreat style meet-ups for adults and fun family “field trips”

on the Central Coast of California in San Luis Obispo County

and our virtual self-paced “Mindful Explorers” nature-based mindfulness program for families and classrooms

 

Dee DiGioia, founder of Mindful Kindful YOUniversity, offers Mindfulness-based Social-Emotional Learning Programs across San Luis Obispo County (and virtual) for youth and adults to learn and engage in practices of mindfulness and movement grounded in science and backed by research to support mental and physical health and well-being. Respond more skillfully to life in the 21st Century!

Stay up to date on announcements of classes and events:


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Roots of Resilience Resources

Resilience is adapting to, and coping with, the inevitable challenges that arise in your lifetime whether it’s day-to-day challenges or major life-changing events. Resilience helps you to bounce back and even come back stronger. Resilience involves behaviors, thoughts, and actions that can be learned and developed in anyone.

(McDonald et al., 2012)
“I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become.”
– Carl Jung
When we have the skills to handle things that come our way, we can help ourselves, and our loved ones, thrive and flourish. While confronted with the unsettling, emotional challenges of life during the pandemic, the greatest gift we can give our loved ones is our presence – our well-nourished, balanced and healthy presence, like a well-rooted tree that can withstand the storm! Learn simple practices to transform stress into resilience in each moment of life as it unfolds. This is how each of us can contribute to a legacy of healthy, thriving families ~ beginning within ourselves ~ and modeling these essential life skills for our loved ones. Mindful, Kindful, Peaceful.

Behind every resilient person is some ONE that is there for them,

whether it is a parent, teacher, coach, mentor, friend. If you feel overwhelmed or like you are drowning, you don’t need to go it alone. Who is your light, your one, that helps you through difficult times? Who do you light the way for?
If you are not feeling like you are making progress, it’s important to reach out for help from a trained professional.
Twenty years ago, for several years, I was drowning in deep depression and felt intensely alone. That was before internet (OMG). Family relations were strained and no close friends. It was tough! Thank goodness I made it through – I could say that I was the “one” for myself but the journey is so much better having support from those who understand or those who can provide effective tools and techniques that are more effective than ill-advised family or friends who do not understand the psychology and root of your challenges.

Finding freedom from my own trauma are the reasons why I am so passionate about the programs and services I offer through Mindful Kindful YOUniversity.

My experiences have shaped who I am today and I now stand “on the shoulders of the giants before me” – passing along their teachings and wisdom that supported me, and now I can share to support you! Mindful Kindful YOUniversity is here to help inspire and support you whether it’s through TLC Personal Coaching, our Mindful Explorers membership program for kids and their grownups, School programs, Personal and Professional Development, or simply from an inspiration or meme shared on social media. Explore the resources below, explore this website, or reach out to me. You are not alone. I want you to know, that I am here for you, and your children.
May you and your loved ones be healthy.
May you and your loved ones be strong.
May you and your loved ones feel the power of love and peace.
~Dee DiGioia, Your Mindfulness Coach

Stay up to date on all of our announcements:

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Let Nature Be Your Teacher ~

On a recent walk I discovered an amazing tree family on the edge of a cliff along the shore in Cambria that took my breath away. I might have missed the discovery if I had not taken a mindul moment to pause and “look, listen, and feel,” my go-to grounding practice in daily life. Trees often inspire me and this family did not disappoint. It had a story to tell and became my introduction to my “Roots of Resilience” webinar.

“Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it’s less good than the one you had before. You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you’ve lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that’s good.”

– Elizabeth Edwards

“Roots of Resilience” Webinar Recording ~

“The Roots of Resilience” live webinar took place on December 2, 2020. Counselors Jill Lewis and Melissa Chitwood, Lucia Mar Unified School District, hosted this Wellness Webinar for parents and educators, with Presenter Dee DiGioia, Mindful Kindful YOUniversity. Below is my edited version of the webinar with extras (including extra notes and images, an updated version of the guided practice “The Willow Weathering the Storm”*, and an extra story about John Lewis “Walking in the Wind” which we did not have time for during the live webinar). In the webinar I cover 5 “seeds of resilience.”  When working with children I refer to these as “superpowers” that we are growing – to become mindful, kindful, peaceful (the skills for becoming resilient).
While confronted with the unsettling, emotional challenges of life during the pandemic, the greatest gift we can give our loved ones is our presence – our well-nourished, balanced and healthy presence, like a well-rooted tree that can withstand the storm! Learn simple practices to transform stress into resilience in each moment of life as it unfolds. This is how each of us can contribute to a legacy of healthy, thriving families ~ beginning within ourselves ~ and modeling these essential life skills for our loved ones. Mindful, Kindful, Peaceful. (Video ~54 min)

Guided Grounding Practice ~

SUBSCRIBE to “Mindful Kindful Peaceful Times” and receive a link to a guided grounding practice “The Willow Weathering the Storm” to help you withstand the storms in your life today. It was inspired by something I read in the book Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting Through the Storm, by Thich Nhat Hanh and another guided practice I have done called “Eye of the Hurricane” which I have found to be very helpful when things feel overwhelming.

Walking in the Wind ~ an inspirational story of resilience

This true story is from the late, great Rep. John Lewis. May his legacy live on through his example of how to live life ~ in our homes, and in our world ~ walking together, hand in hand, you and I, walking with the wind. Together, we can get through the storms and inevitable challenges in our lives, coming out stronger and wiser.

Well-being is a skill and all skills require practice ~

Your well-being is the most important education you will ever receive! Learn, practice, and grow skillfully with us! Let me be your guide. MK YOU equips and teaches children, teens, and adults HOW to cultivate the inner resources, or “superpowers,” for coping with life’s challenges. By setting the intention to practice mindfulness and kindfulness in our daily living, we plant the seeds for transforming unskillful responses to life’s challenges into healthy habits for inner peace and happiness. As a result, each one of us is positively contributing to a thriving, resilient, compassionate and peaceful world beginning within ourselves, and positively impacting our relationships at home, school, and in our communities.

EXPLORE Programs and Services

for YOUTH and ADULTS

including our virtual Mindful Explorers Membership

for kids and their grown-ups at home or school.

Learn, practice and grow skillfully with us!

Skills for resilience and well-being

Additional Resources ~

I will be adding to this over time. Come back and check!

RELATIONSHIPS:

Behind every resilient person – research findings: the number one common variable – is some ONE that was there for them, coaching them, believing in them to move through the challenge. If you are interested, I provide Personal Coaching for youth and for adults. You do not have to go through this alone.

“During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, you may experience anxiety, fear, frustration, sadness and loneliness — to the point that those feelings become constant and overwhelming. Existing mental health conditions, including severe anxiety and major depression, may worsen. If you’re feeling hopeless and having thoughts about suicide, or you’re concerned about someone else, learn how to find help and restore hope. Most often, suicidal thoughts are the result of feeling like you can’t cope or recover when you’re faced with what seems to be an overwhelming life situation. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 any time of day.” Read more: COVID-19 and the risk of suicide

BOOKS / ARTICLES:

Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting Through the Storm, by Thich Nhat Hanh ~ Book or free audio link (youtube)

We recently finished reading this in our Book Club. Fear is destructive, a pervasive problem we all face. Vietnamese Buddhist Zen Master, poet, scholar,  peace activist, and one of the foremost spiritual leaders in the world—a gifted teacher who was once nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Martin Luther King Jr.—Thich Nhat Hanh has written a powerful and practical strategic guide to overcoming our debilitating uncertainties and personal terrors. The New York Times said Hanh, “ranks second only to the Dalai Lama” as the Buddhist leader with the most influence in the West. In Fear: Essential Wisdom for Getting through the Storm, Hanh explores the origins of our fears, illuminating a path to finding peace and freedom from anxiety and offering powerful tools to help us eradicate it from our lives. “Written in words so intimate, calm, kind, and immediate, this extraordinary book feels like a message from our very own heart….Thich Nhat Hanh is one of the most important voices of our time, and we have never needed to listen to him more than now.” ~Sogyal Rinpoche

11 Ways to Cultivate Resilience

How Gratitude Can Help You Through Hard Times (this may not be what you think!)

How Mindfulness Boosts Resilience

Is Your Child Resilient?

Listen to Stress ~ Dee DiGioia

Mindfulness Is Essential to Wise Choices, Compassion Is Essential to Wise Action, Community Is Essential to Wise Coping, Our Practice Is Essential to Dealing Skillfully with Disappointments, Difficulties, even Disasters

Remembering Wellness ~ Dee DiGioia

Right Now it’s Like This ~ Dee DiGioia

The Most Difficult Year Ever as an Educator ~ Dee DiGioia

What Nature Can Teach Us About Resiliency

When Things Fall Apart ~ Dee DiGioia

 

VIDEO:

Dropping Anchor ~ Guided Mindfulness Practice ~Dee DiGioia

Heartfulness Practice ~Guided Mindfulness Practice to feel connected ~ Dee DiGioia

My Special Journey – Guided Mindfulness Practice ~ Dee DiGioia

R.A.I.N. ~ Guided Mindfulness Practice – Dee DiGioia

 

A Steady Heart in Times of Crisis | Guided Meditation – Jack Kornfield & Tara Brach

Insight and Resilience in Times of Change – Oren Jay Sofer

The Opportunity to Build the Circuits of Kindness and Resilience – Dan Siegel  – Opportunities for parents to help shape the minds of their children – so good!

 

MUSIC:

“Resilient” ~ Rising Appalachia

“The Keep Going On Song” ~ performed by Goeke/Staton-Marrero // and The Bensons original version

“Together” ~ King & Country

for kids: “Bounce Back”

EXPLORE Programs and Services

for YOUTH and ADULTS

including our virtual Mindful Explorers Membership

for kids and their grown-ups at home or school.

Learn, practice and grow skillfully with us!

Skills for resilience and well-being

Resources supporting “Why Mindfulness in Education” and Resources – Mindfulness for Adults

 

Stay up to date on all of our announcements:

SUBSCRIBE TO MK YOU NEWS

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YouTube
RSS

Dee DiGioia, founder of Mindful Kindful YOUniversity, offers Mindfulness-based Social-Emotional Learning Programs online and across San Luis Obispo County for youth and adults to learn and engage in practices of mindfulness and movement grounded in science and backed by research  to support mental and physical health and well-being. Respond more skillfully to life in the 21st Century!

 

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Why a little black boy joined the Peanuts gang

Why and how a little black boy joined the Peanuts gang

…and helped change the world

I saw this and had to re-share! This morning a friend posted this on Facebook, who got it from a friend, who got it from The Jon S. Randal Peace Page on Facebook, and maybe got it from someone else… let’s keep sharing!!!

Do you know how and why the little black boy, Franklin, came to join the Peanuts comic strip? I have so much gratitude for the inspiration of  Harriet Glickman, a school teacher and the courage of Charles Schultz, an influential cartoonist, for bringing Franklin to life and being one of Charlie Brown’s friends and a part of the Peanuts gang. Schultz had to buck the system. Peanuts is among the most popular and influential in the history of comic strips.  The story demonstrates how each of us can change the world in simple, yet powerful ways, one caring and courageous choice at a time. ~Dee DiGioia

On July 31, 1968, a young, black man was reading the newspaper when he saw something that he had never seen before. With tears in his eyes, he started running and screaming throughout the house, calling for his mom. He would show his mom, and, she would gasp, seeing something she thought she would never see in her lifetime. Throughout the nation, there were similar reactions.

What they saw was Franklin Armstrong’s first appearance on the iconic comic strip “Peanuts.” Franklin would be 50 years old this year. (2018)

Franklin was “born” after a school teacher, Harriet Glickman, had written a letter to creator Charles M. Schulz after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot to death outside his Memphis hotel room.

Glickman, who had kids of her own and having worked with kids, was especially aware of the power of comics among the young. “And my feeling at the time was that I realized that black kids and white kids never saw themselves [depicted] together in the classroom,” she would say.

She would write, “Since the death of Martin Luther King, ‘I’ve been asking myself what I can do to help change those conditions in our society which led to the assassination and which contribute to the vast sea of misunderstanding, hate, fear and violence.’”

Glickman asked Schulz if he could consider adding a black character to his popular comic strip, which she hoped would bring the country together and show people of color that they are not excluded from American society.

She had written to others as well, but the others feared it was too soon, that it may be costly to their careers, that the syndicate would drop them if they dared do something like that.

Charles Schulz did not have to respond to her letter, he could have just completely ignored it, and everyone would have forgotten about it. But, Schulz did take the time to respond, saying he was intrigued with the idea, but wasn’t sure whether it would be right, coming from him, he didn’t want to make matters worse, he felt that it may sound condescending to people of color.

Glickman did not give up, and continued communicating with Schulz, with Schulz surprisingly responding each time. She would even have black friends write to Schulz and explain to him what it would mean to them and gave him some suggestions on how to introduce such a character without offending anyone. This conversation would continue until one day, Schulz would tell Glickman to check her newspaper on July 31, 1968.

On that date, the cartoon, as created by Schulz, shows Charlie Brown meeting a new character, named Franklin. Other than his color, Franklin was just an ordinary kid who befriends and helps Charlie Brown. Franklin also mentions that his father was “over at Vietnam.” At the end of the series, which lasted three strips, Charlie invites Franklin to spend the night one day so they can continue their friendship. I just thought this was a good re-introduction of Franklin to the rest of the world – “I’m very glad to know you.”

There was no big announcement, there was no big deal, it was just a natural conversation between two kids, whose obvious differences did not matter to them. And, the fact that Franklin’s father was fighting for this country was also a very strong statement by Schulz.

Although Schulz never made a big deal over the inclusion of Franklin, there were many fans, especially in the South, who were very upset by it and that made national news. One Southern editor even said, “I don’t mind you having a black character, but please don’t show them in school together.”

It would eventually lead to a conversation between Schulz and the president of the comic’s distribution company, who was concerned about the introduction of Franklin and how it might affect Schulz’ popularity. Many newspapers during that time had threatened to cut the strip.

Schulz’ response: “I remember telling Larry at the time about Franklin — he wanted me to change it, and we talked about it for a long while on the phone, and I finally sighed and said, “Well, Larry, let’s put it this way: Either you print it just the way I draw it or I quit. How’s that?”

Eventually, Franklin became a regular character in the comic strips, and, despite complaints, Franklin would be shown sitting in front of Peppermint Patty at school and playing center field on her baseball team.

More recently, Franklin is brought up on social media around Thanksgiving time, when the animated 1973 special “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” appears. Some people have blamed Schulz for showing Franklin sitting alone on the Thanksgiving table, while the other characters sit across him. But, Schulz did not have the same control over the animated cartoon on a television network that he did on his own comic strip in the newspapers.

But, he did have control over his own comic strip, and, he courageously decided to make a statement because of one brave school teacher who decided to ask a simple question.

Glickman would explain later that her parents were “concerned about others, and the values that they instilled in us about caring for and appreciating everyone of all colors and backgrounds — this is what we knew when we were growing up, that you cared about other people . . . And so, during the years, we were very aware of the issues of racism and civil rights in this country [when] black people had to sit at the back of the bus, black people couldn’t sit in the same seats in the restaurants that you could sit . . . Every day I would see, or read, about black children trying to get into school and seeing crowds of white people standing around spitting at them or yelling at them . . . and the beatings and the dogs and the hosings and the courage of so many people in that time.”

Because of Glickman, because of Schulz, people around the world were introduced to a little boy named Franklin.

Peanuts is a syndicated daily and Sunday American comic strip written and illustrated by Charles M. Schulz that ran from October 2, 1950, to February 13, 2000, continuing in reruns afterward. Peanuts is among the most popular and influential in the history of comic strips, with 17,897 strips published in all,[1] making it “arguably the longest story ever told by one human being”.[2][3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanuts

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Membership Program

To inspire children to develop healthy habits of mind by guiding them on a journey of self-discovery

to become leaders for a more mindful, kindful, peaceful world. 

Dee DiGioia, founder of Mindful Kindful YOUniversity, offers Mindfulness-based Social-Emotional Learning Programs across San Luis Obispo County for youth and adults to learn and engage in practices of mindfulness and movement grounded in science and backed by research  to support mental and physical health and well-being. Respond more skillfully to life in the 21st Century!

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Invitation to a Magic Tea Party (for kids)

Magic Tea Party (for kids!)

Online party on Zoom

Friday   *   March 20   *  10:00 – 10:20ish

This live event will be recorded and available for viewing at a later time if you are unable to attend. The link will be posted on this page.

Additional sessions to come. Stay up to date on announcements:

This is the first in our online series of live mindfulness and movement mini-sessions for children offering a you-nique mind-body-heart experience for nervous system regulation, resiliency, and well-being through the art and science of mindfulness, movement, and music during our “Shelter at Home” period. San Luis Obispo County has issued an executive order to “Shelter at Home” to slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). For those of you in San Luis Obispo County (like me), you can stay updated and informed on the evolving COVID-19 situation with resources from the SLO County Department of Health at the link HERE.

Parents! Let’s meet online with your child(ren) for our magic “tea party”! The targeted audience is elementary school-aged children but siblings of all ages are welcome to join in ~ grownups are encouraged to participate as well.

During this time of “shelter-in-place”, children (and their grownups) are going to feel a heightened sense of worry, anxiety, fear, or other difficult emotions. As adults we can provide a sense of safety to calm the nervous system through relationships and having fun to help ease those emotions. The magic is in the movement and refocusing attention on the the things that ground us. So get ready to play with me!

The only thing you need to bring is your imagination and curiosity! (Tea cup not required!)

Mindful Kindful YOUniversity offers mindful, kindful, peaceful programs for the well-being of individuals and the community as a whole, for anyone living in or visiting our community in San Luis Obispo County. Using the online platform, we can connect with others around the world!

Please invite your friends! Share our Facebook Event!

Join our scheduled Zoom meeting

LINK: https://zoom.us/j/614378822

Be sure to download Zoom ahead of time on your computer, tablet, or phone.

Computer will provide the best visibility for participation.

Magic Tea Party for Kids ~ Mindfulness, Movement, Music
March 20, 2020          10:00 – 10:20ish  AM (Pacific Time)

Meeting ID: 614 378 822

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Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/ayCWtytDW

This Zoom meeting is FREE OF CHARGE, however, DONATIONS IN ANY AMOUNT ARE WELCOME! Please consider supporting local small business solopreneurs, like myself, if you are in a position to do so. There are many of us small business entrepreneurs in your community that will be struggling financially due to our current national pandemic and the cancellation of our community programs and services – we are pouring our heart, time, and love into our new online offerings because we love our work and we want a healthy, happy future for generations to come. Many of us have lost 100% of our revenue stream “overnight”.  So I’m learning how to move to online classes to continue sharing my love of mindfulness and movement because I know how essential it is, now more than ever. So please consider a donation – no amount is too small! I still have to pay monthly fees for the large companies like Constant Contact to send out emails, to Zoom so I can record these new videos for you and your children, and I desperately need toilet paper (laughing but true!). If your finances are scary right now, no worries. Come enjoy the session for free! 

If you would like to send a DONATION:

 Venmo – https://venmo.com/Dee-DiGioia   or   Paypal – https://www.paypal.me/deedigioia

Dee DiGioia, founder of Mindful Kindful YOUniversity, offers Mindfulness-based Social-Emotional Learning Programs across San Luis Obispo County for youth and adults to learn and engage in practices of mindfulness and movement grounded in science and backed by research  to support mental and physical health and well-being. Respond more skillfully to life in the 21st Century!

Stay up to date on announcements of classes and events:


Posted on

When Things Fall Apart

When Things Fall Apart

One day, in January of this year, my “sweetheart’s” life changed abruptly ~ life as he knew it, life as we knew it. His body began a chaotic fight within. Symptom after symptom began showing up and he made various trips to Urgent Care centers. He doesn’t have a primary care doctor because he is normally so healthy and fit. The doctors kept sending him home with “it’s just a virus” and “there is nothing” they can do. I have a love-hate relationship with doctors. Maybe it’s more accurate to say I don’t always trust in them. It’s complex, and some of that is from layers of complex trauma – my mother died from a sepsis infection in the hospital, a podiatrist screwed up my foot surgery, and on and on.

I have been so scared that the doctors were missing looking deeper because this is so out of the ordinary for him: rashes, intermittent fever day in day out for weeks and months, debilitating joint pain, swelling moving throughout his body like an alien within. A week ago he had some symptoms that I insisted he go back again to get checked — that voice within that knew it was serious, and long story short, it WAS serious and he was admitted to the hospital.

Trust that inner voice. Trust that gut feeling. Go with it. Sometimes it is difficult to discern between what is over-worrying or what is a genuine concern. It’s important to really go deep within. Listen.

He was released from the hospital with no real answers yet, other than ruling some things out. It looks like he may be experiencing autoimmune challenges, and the ER doctor told him to see a specialist. (August is the soonest he can get an appointment – argh!) At least we have some ideas of what this could be: an auto immune disorder. An autoimmune disease is a condition in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your body. The immune system normally guards against germs like bacteria and viruses. When it senses these foreign invaders, it sends out an army of fighter cells to attack them. Normally, the immune system can tell the difference between foreign cells and your own cells. In an autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakes part of your body, like your joints or skin, as foreign. It releases proteins called autoantibodies that attack healthy cells. Doctors don’t know exactly what causes the immune-system misfire. (Source Autoimmune)

It’s been quite the emotional ordeal for me to see my beloved suffering and my feeling so helpless in providing any ease. As an HSP (Highly Sensitive Person), and with my trauma being activated, and the normal worries of “what if’s” about his situation, my nervous system has been in chaos! I’d like to say my mindfulness practices have helped, and they have to some degree, however, mindfulness also teaches us to be with whatever is arising, and the fact is, sometimes it feels like things are falling apart, and we fall for a while. It feels like this sometimes. He has had some things under control and seems a bit more himself in the last few days so I am also feeling relieved and better able to re-focus on my work and my own self-care. I’ve had to let go of some planned things, and I may have to let go of some more, and hopefully people will understand. Some won’t – I’ve already disappointed some people with cancellations, and that hurts too, but I know I am doing my best and have to let go of the judgments of others, too.

What I’ve been REminded of in these past very long months is that things are impermanent, and no matter how hard we fight to keep things the same, the fight is what creates the tension and struggle in our lives. Whether we are talking about the weather, or our feelings, or our health, or our relationships, things change. They just do. And to fight this reality is to create our own suffering. And so I realized I can still share a sunset with my beloved and if he is unable to open his eyes because he is in pain, I can take it in for him and send him my warm wishes. I can still pour a cup of tea for both of us and we can feel the warmth of the mug on our hands, and sip the healing ingredients. I can still laugh with children at school, and I can cry my tears as I go out the door in the morning hoping he will be ok on his own while I am away at work.

It’s important to REmember that gratitude is an essential elixir – in fact he was the one to say “you know, I can’t complain – I have had a very good, active life and I just may need to make some adjustments but I’ll be alright.” He has even been asking me for help with mindfulness and meditation, something he hasn’t done in the past, so I get to share my passion with him and feel like I can be helpful after all. I am currently training in Subtle® Yoga — Subtle Yoga is a sustainable yoga practice that adapts to varying needs depending on your health, lifestyle, age and energy. It’s therapeutic and balancing with postures that are accessible and adaptable. I also recently finished my Restorative Yoga training ~  the timing couldn’t be any more serendipitous. These will be so perfect for him. And for me.

Learn more >>> Slow Yoga for Resilience

In a book I read years ago, “When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times”, Pema Chödrön writes:

“Things falling apart is a kind of testing and also a kind of healing. We think that the point is to pass the test or to overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don’t really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It’s just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy. When we think that something is going to bring us pleasure, we don’t know what’s really going to happen. When we think something is going to give us misery, we don’t know. Letting there be room for not knowing is the most important thing of all. We try to do what we think is going to help. But we don’t know. We never know if we’re going to fall flat or sit up tall. When there’s a big disappointment, we don’t know if that’s the end of the story. It may be just the beginning of a great adventure.”

And in another book I have, “Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness”, Jon Kabat-Zinn writes:

“Catastrophe here does not mean disaster. Rather it means the poignant enormity of our life experience. It includes crises and disaster but also all the little things that go wrong and that add up. The phrase reminds us that life is always in flux, that everything we think is permanent is actually only temporary and constantly changing. This includes our ideas, our opinions, our relationships, our jobs, our possessions, our creations, our bodies, everything.”

He also tells us

“We all have limitations. They are worth befriending. They teach us a lot. They can show us what we most need to pay attention to and honor. They become our cutting edge for learning and growing and gentling ourselves into the present moment as it is.”

If it feels like your life is falling apart, may your day be blessed with many mindful moments of joy and full catastrophe living! Don’t hesitate to reach out for help! That’s what I train to do, even as I journey through my own challenges.

UPDATE April 6 ~ I wanted to share an update on how my beloved is doing. He has a strong will and an indomitable spirit and is taking charge by doing things to promote his well-being. Many of his symptoms have subsided, while many symptoms continue but he is resilient and has found ways to manage these symptoms. He is much stronger, more clear-headed, more “himself”, and is able to get out on longer and longer walks with me. I also wanted to introduce him to “Earthing” so we watched the documentary and he spends time off and on throughout the day and stands in the sand in our backyard with bare feet to get grounded. He feels it is helping him reduce the inflammation + swelling and is very optimistic! I am so grateful that this turn-around has happened during this COVID-19 pandemic period so we can luxuriate in gratitude for our health and all the things that support us, in spite of the challenges this pandemic and “shelter-at-home” brings.

Dee DiGioia, founder of Mindful Kindful YOUniversity, offers Mindfulness-based Social-Emotional Learning Programs across San Luis Obispo County for youth and adults to learn and engage in practices of mindfulness and movement grounded in science and backed by research  to support mental and physical health and well-being. Respond more skillfully to life in the 21st Century!

Stay up to date on announcements of classes and events:


Posted on

It’s Storytime!

Educating the Heart and Mind

~ Storybooks for Elementary School-aged Children ~

“For listening to the stories of others … is a kind of water that breaks the fever of our isolation. If we listen closely enough, we are soothed into remembering our common name.” ~Mark Nepo

If you would like to help our library grow, click on image above to see our wishlist!

Reading aloud may be one of the most important contributions that we can make toward developing good character in children. Why? For several reasons.

  1. First, because stories can create emotional attachment to goodness, a desire to do the right thing.
  2. Second, because stories provide a wealth of good examples – the kind of examples that are often missing from a child’s day to day environment.
  3. Third, because stories familiarize youngsters with the codes of conduct they need to know.
  4. Finally, because stories help to make sense out of life. Stories, because of their hold on the imagination, can create an attachment to goodness. The nature of stories enables us to “rehearse” moral decisions, strengthening our solidarity with the good.
(Excerpts from “Books That Build Character” by William Kilpatrick and Gregory and Suzanee Wolfe)

Storybooks are super important in my work with children in my school and community programs and in my personal coaching. Stories open the door to rich conversation by helping us relate to what’s happening in the story to our own lives and creating a buffer space between what is happening to the characters and ourselves – only revealing the similarities if we feel safe to say so.  I am continually adding books to my shelves and trying to keep track of what I have. And people often ask for recommendations so I began indexing what I have. The books below are the ones currently on my bookshelf in the areas of Mindfulness, Kindfulness, Emotions, Sensory, Peace, Bullying Awareness, Special Needs Awareness and more.  I listed the books under these categories to help me in my planning and maybe it will help you, too! Some books are in multiple sections and some sections may be incomplete as some books can go in multiple sections but I may not have put it in that section. I am always adding more books and it’s possible I haven’t included some of my newer ones yet so keep checking back.  I may eventually add video resources to this page as well. ~Dee DiGioia

Last updated 12/16/19

BRAIN / NEUROSCIENCE

Hey Warrior (Karen Young)

How Does Your Brain Work? (Don L. Curry)

Some Days I Flip My Lid – Learning to be a calm, cool kid (Kellie Doyle Bailey)

Your Fantastic Elastic Brain (JoAnn Deak)

EMOTIONS: ANGER

Angry Octopus (Lori Lite)

Anh’s Anger (Gail Silver)

Cool Down and Work Through Anger

How I feel ANGRY (Marcia Leonard)

My Many Colored Days (Dr Seuss)

Shubert Rants & Raves (Dr. Becky A. Bailey)

Some Days I Flip My Lid – Learning to be a calm, cool kid (Kellie Doyle Bailey)

Steps and Stones: Anh’s Anger Story (Gail Silver)

When Sophie Gets Angry- Really Really Angry (Molly Bang)

EMOTIONS: ANXIETY, FEAR, COURAGE

A Little Spot of Anxiety (Diane Alber)

*All Too Much for Oliver

Feeling Afraid – Let’s Talk About (Joy Berry) 

*Help Your Dragon Deal With Anxiety (Steve Herman)

*Hey Warrior (Karen Young)

How I feel SCARED (Marcia Leonard)

The Invisible String (Patrice Karst)

There’s a Nightmare in My Closet (Mercer Mayer)

They Call Me Chicken: A Story of Courage

We’re Going On a Lion Hunt (David Atell) -sensory, emotions, listening, impulse control

What to Do When You Worry Too Much (Dawn Huebner)

When My Worries Get Too Big: A Relaxation Book for Children Who Live With Anxiety 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Practice Being Brave – Owning My OCD (Molly Gambrel)

EMOTIONS: GENERAL

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (Judith Viorst)

How I feel FRUSTRATED (Marcia Leonard)

How I feel HAPPY (Marcia Leonard)

How I feel JEALOUS (Marcia Leonard)

How I feel PROUD (Marcia Leonard)

How I feel SAD (Marcia Leonard)

How I feel SILLY (Marcia Leonard)

If You Plant a Seed (Kadir Neslon)

In My Heart: A Book of Feelings (Jo Witek)

Listening to My Body (Gabi Garcia)

Today I Feel Silly

Visiting Feelings (Laura Rubenstein)

EMPATHY, UNDERSTANDING OTHERS, ONENESS

Am I a Color Too? (Heidi Cole)

Captain Tommy (Abby Ward Messner) – autism

The Crayon Box that Talked

How Do I Stand in Your Shoes? (Susan DeBell)

Those Shoes (Maribeth Boelts)

Why Does Lizzy Cover Her Ears? Dealing with Sensory Overload

Zero (Otoshi)

EMPOWERMENT, BELIEFS, THOUGHTS, AFFIRMATIONS, beYOUtiful

Finding the Green Stone (Alice Walker)

Hooray for You (Marianne Richmond)

Howard B Wigglebottom Listens to His Heart (Howard Binkow)

I Am Enough (Grace Byers)

I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness (Susan Verde)

I Believe in Me- A Book of Affirmations (Connie Bowen)

I Think, I Am! (Louise L. Hay)

I Wish I Were a Butterfly

Know Who You Are – Katy Finds the Confidence to Be Her True Self (Katrina Welch)

No One But You (Douglas Wood)

Oliver Button is a Sissy

On My Way to a Happy Life (Deepak Chopra)

Spaghetti on a Hot Dog Bun

Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon

Thanks for the Feedback, I Think

The Invisible String (Patrice Karst)

You Are Not Your Thoughts (Brian Despard) (Jennifer Veenendall)

FRIENDSHIP, SIBLINGS

ALSO SEE SOCIAL CHALLENGES: BULLYING, DISCRIMINATION, RACISM

Enemy Pie  (Derek Munson)

Little Squarehead (Peggy O’Neil)

Maybe Tomorrow? (Charlotte Agell)

My Secret Bully (Judy Ludwig)

No Girls Allowed (Berenstain)

One of Us (Peggy Moss)

Our Friendship Rules (Peggy Moss)

Peace, Bugs, and Understanding: an Adventure in Sibling Harmony (Gail Silver)

Pink Tiara Cookies for Three

Secret of the Peaceful Warrior (Dan Millman)- bullying, compassion, empowerment

Shubert’s New Friend (Dr Becky Bailey)

The Invisible Boy (Trudy Ludwig)

The Other Side (Jacqueline Woodson)

Too Perfect (Judy Ludwig)

Trouble Talk (Trudy Ludwig)

GRATITUDE

Thank You Body, Thank You Heart – A Gratitude and Self-compassion Practice (Jennifer Cohen Harper)

The Want Monsters and How They Stopped Ruling My World (Chelo Manchego)

IMPULSES, SELF REGULATION, DISTRACTIBILITY

Don’t Push the Button (Bill Cotter)

I Can’t Believe I Said That (Julia Cook)

If You Give a Cat a Cupcake

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (Laura Joffe Numeroff) -to discuss distractability!

If You Plant a Seed (Kadir Neslon)

My Mouth is a Volcano (Julia Cook)

No Jumping on the Bed (Ted Arnold)

Press Here (Herve Tullet) -great for impulsivity

Puppy Mind (Andrew Jordan Nance)

Simon’s Hook

Squirmy Wormy -How I Learned to Help Myself (Lynda Farrington Wilson)

The Want Monsters and How They Stopped Ruling My World (Chelo Manchego)

Waiting is Not Easy

KINDNESS, COMPASSION, HEARTFULNESS, HEARTPRINTS

Because Brian Hugged His Mother (David L Rice)

Each Kindness (Jacqueline Woodson)

Good People Everywhere (Lynea Gillan)

Have You Filled a Bucket Today? (McCloud and Messing)

Heartprints  (P.K. Hallinan)

How Full is Your Bucket? For Kids  (Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer)

If Everybody DidIf Everybody Did

If You Plant a Seed (Kadir Neslon)

Kindness is Cooler Mrs Ruler (Margery Cuyler)

Listening to My Body (Gabi Garcia)

Listening With My Heart: a story of kindness and self-compassion  (Gabi Garcia)

Maybe Tomorrow? (Charlotte Agell)

May All Beings and Pigs Be Happy (Micki Fine Pavlicek)

Moody Cow Learns Compassion (Kerry Lee MacLean)

One (Otoshi)

One Smile  (Cindy McKinley) 

Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed (Emily Pearson)

Secret of the Peaceful Warrior (Dan Millman)- bullying, compassion, empowerment

Thank You Body, Thank You Heart – A Gratitude and Self-compassion Practice (Jennifer Cohen Harper)

The Invisible Boy (Trudy Ludwig)

The Village Bully  (Maria Broom)

MINDFULNESS, MEDITATION, MINDFUL AWARENESS, MINDFUL LIVING 

A Little Peaceful Spot – A Story About Mindfulness (Diane Alber)

Happy – A Beginner’s Book of Mindfulness (Nicola Edwards)

I Am Peace: A Book of Mindfulness (Susan Verde)

Listening to My Body (Gabi Garcia)

Listening With My Heart: a story of kindness and self-compassion

May All Beings and Pigs Be Happy (Micki Fine Pavlicek) and VIDEO (narrated by Dee DiGioia)

Moody Cow Meditates (Kerry Lee MacLean)

Peaceful Piggy Meditation (Kerry Lee MacLean)

Puppy Mind (Andrew Jordan Nance)

See Hear, Feel: Mindfulness for Children, One Moment at a Time

Silence (By Lemniscates)

Six Healing Sounds: Qigong for Children (Lisa Spillane)

Slowly, Slowly, Slowly said the Sloth (Eric Carle)

Take the Time: Mindfulness for Kids (Maud Roegiers)

Thank You Body, Thank You Heart – A Gratitude and Self-compassion Practice (Jennifer Cohen Harper)

The Boy Who Searched for Silence (Andrew Newman)

The Boy Who Spoke to the Earth (Chris Burkard)

The Three Questions (John J Muth based on story by Leo Tolstoy)

The Want Monsters and How They Stopped Ruling My World (Chelo Manchego)

Waiting is Not Easy

When the Wind Stops (Charlotte Zolotow)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buddha at Bedtime: Tales of Love and Wisdom (Dharmachari Nagaraja)

Zen Shorts (John J. Muth)

MOVEMENT, YOGA

Six Healing Sounds: Qigong for Children (Lisa Spillane)

Slowly, Slowly, Slowly said the Sloth (Eric Carle)

You Are a Lion! and Other Fun Yoga Poses (Tae-Eun Yoo)

NATURE, EARTH, EARTH-KIND

Not for Me, Please! I Choose to Act Green (Maria Godsey)

Rainbow Weaver (Tejadora del Arcoiris)

Scribble Stones (Diane Alber)

The Boy Who Spoke to the Earth (Chris Burkard)

The Hugging Tree (Jill Niemark)

The Magic and Mystery of Trees (Jen Green)

What Joe Saw (Anna Grossnickle Hines)

PEACE

A Little Peace (Barbara Kerley)

A Quiet Place (Douglas Wood)

Good People Everywhere (Lynea Gillan)

I Am Peace ~ A Book of Mindfulness (Susan Verde)

Old Turtle and the Broken Truth (Douglas Wood)

Seeds and Tree: A children’s book about the power of words (Branden Walden)

Peace Begins With You (Katharine Scholes)

Peace, Bugs, and Understanding: an Adventure in Sibling Harmony (Gail Silver)

Peace Tales – World Folktales to Talk About (Margaret Read Macdonald)

Peace Week in Miss Fox’s Class (Eileen Spinelli)

Peaceful Piggy Meditation (Kerry Lee MacLean)

The Peace Book (Todd Parr)

Somewhere Today A Book of Peace (Shelley Moore Thomas)  

The Invisible String (Patrice Karst)

The Other Side (Jacqueline Woodson)

RESILIENCE

Maybe Tomorrow? (Charlotte Agell)

The Hugging Tree (Jill Niemark)

SENSES – Listening, Seeing, Hearing, Silence, Feeling

A Quiet Place (Douglas Wood)

Can You Hear a Rainbow? The Story of a Deaf Boy Named Chris (Jamee Riggio Heelan)

Can You Listen With Your Eyes? (Nita Everly)

Ian’s Walk: A Story About Autism

Listening to My Body (Gabi Garcia)

Love is the Color of a Rainbow (Kathy Parra)

No One But You (Douglas Wood)

Silence (By Lemniscates)

See Hear, Feel: Mindfulness for Children, One Moment at a Time

Six Healing Sounds: Qigong for Children (Lisa Spillane)

Slowly, Slowly, Slowly said the Sloth (Eric Carle)

Some Kids Are Blind

Some Kids Are Deaf

Squirmy Wormy -How I Learned to Help Myself (Lynda Farrington Wilson)

We’re Going On a Lion Hunt (David Atell) -sensory, emotions, listening, impulse control

Waiting is Not Easy

What Joe Saw (Anna Grossnickle Hines)

Why Does Lizzy Cover Her Ears? Dealing with Sensory Overload

 

SOCIAL CHALLENGES: BULLYING, DISCRIMINATION, RACISM

(+ STANDING UP)

VIDEO: Which Team Will You Choose? (45 min) by Dee DiGioia – inspired by the story “Have You Filled a Bucket Today?” 

Alley Oops (Janice Levy)

Becoming Someone’s Hero: A Book for Bystanders of Bullying

Being Bullied (Kate Petty)

Benjamin and the Word

Better Than You (Judy Ludwig)

Bird Child (Nan Forler)

Brand New Kid, The (Katie Couric)

The Bully Blockers: Standing Up for kids with Autism

Desmond and the Very Mean Word (Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams)

Enemy Pie  (Derek Munson)

Howard B Wigglebottom Learns About Bullies (Howard Binkow)

Howard B Wigglebottom Listens to His Heart (Howard Binkow)

I Didn’t Know I Was a Bully

If the World Were Blind

Just Kidding (Judy Ludwig)

Kindness is Cooler Mrs Ruler (Margery Cuyler)

Little Squarehead (Peggy O’Neil)

My Secret Bully (Judy Ludwig)

No Girls Allowed (Berenstain)

Nobody Knew What to Do: A Story About Bullying

Oliver Button is a Sissy

One (Otoshi)

One of Us (Peggy Moss)

Our Friendship Rules (Peggy Moss)

Peace Week in Miss Fox’s Class (Eileen Spinelli)

Pink Tiara Cookies for Three

Roses are Pink, Your Feet Stink

Say Something (Peggy Moss

Secret of the Peaceful Warrior (Dan Millman)- bullying, compassion, empowerment

Simon’s Hook

Spaghetti on a Hot Dog Bun

Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon

Sticks, Stones, and Stumped

Stop Picking on Me

The Boy Who Searched for Silence (Andrew Newman)

The Boy Who Spoke to the Earth (Chris Burkard)

The Bully Blockers Club

The Bully Blockers: Standing Up for kids with Autism

The Invisible Boy (Trudy Ludwig)

The Juice Box Bully

The Lunch Thief (Ann C Bromley)

The Other Side (Jacqueline Woodson)

The Recess Queen

The Village Bully  (Maria Broom)

The Other Side (Jacqueline Woodson)

They Call Me Chicken: A Story of Courage

Those Shoes (Maribeth Boelts)

Too Perfect (Judy Ludwig)

Trouble Talk (Trudy Ludwig)

SPECIAL NEEDS, DIFFERENT ABILITIES

Captain Tommy (Abby Ward Messner)

I Can’t Believe I Said That (Julia Cook)

Ian’s Walk: A Story About Autism

My Mouth is a Volcano (Julia Cook)

Practice Being Brave – Owning My OCD (Molly Gambrel)

Some Kids Are Blind

Some Kids Are Deaf

Some Kids Have Autism

Some Kids Use Wheelchairs

Some Kids Wear Leg Braces

Rolling Along, The Story of Taylor and His Wheelchair

The Bully Blockers: Standing Up for kids with Autism

The Don’t-Give-up Kid and Learning Disabilities

The Wrongway Rabbit

Understanding Sam and Asperger Syndrome (Clarabelle vanNiekerk & Liezl Venter)

What Joe Saw (Anna Grossnickle Hines)

Why Does Lizzy Cover Her Ears? Dealing with Sensory Overload

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Questions? Email Dee DiGioia

or text/call 805-270-5523

Learn more about Dee DiGioia, Certified Mindfulness,Yoga Calm, & Cognitive Behavioral Therapy & Life Skills Coach +

San Luis Obispo County, CA

RESOURCES:

 

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