CHAPTER 1
My Daily Review
Every day has a best part. Some days have a challenging part too. By reflecting on your day, you can build a habit that can help you create more good days. Here is how to do it:
1 Find a special stone the next time you are outside. Call this your reflection stone.
2 Hold your reflection stone in your hands, close your eyes, and sit silently.
3 While sitting in silence, ask and answer these questions:
• What was best about today?
• What was most challenging about today?
• How did I do at working through today's challenge?
• What did I learn?
• What am I most grateful/appreciative for today?
4 With your eyes still closed, say thank you for all that happened today.
5 On the next page or pages in the back of your journal, write down what you thought about during your daily reflection. Write five things you are grateful for today and why you appreciate each one.
Find a time every day to do this. It is best to pick the same time every day. It can be when you wake up, get home from school, finish dinner, or go to bed. Use the pages in the back of your journal to capture your thoughts.
My Daily Review
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
My Best Day Ever
Some days are so great that you just know you will remember them forever. One of your best days may have been when you had a blast with your very best friends, did something fun alone or with a family member, or even aced a test.
What were you doing on some of your best days?
Day 1: __________________________________________________
Day 2: __________________________________________________
Day 3: __________________________________________________
Circle the day above that you would like to write more about. You have the following questions to guide you.
When was this day? (You can include details like how old you were, how long ago it was, what season it was, and what day of the week it happened on.)
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Who was with you, and what were they doing? If y you were alone, how did it feel?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
What did you see, hear, think, and feel that day?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
What do you always want to remember about that day?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Beyond the book: ask others to tell you about their best day ever.
Crazy Cool
Singer and music producer Pharrell Williams says, "No human being is the same; we are like snowflakes. None of us are the same, but we are all COOL." The things that make you who you are, make you unique. These are the things that make you stand out from others in fantastic ways!
Think of all the things that make you cool. For example: I am ... kind, considerate, courageous, mindful, honest, patient, observant, trusting, funny, helpful, knowledgeable, neat, healthy, and playful. Write them down in the spaces below:
___________________ ___________________ ___________________
___________________ ___________________ ___________________
___________________ ___________________ ___________________
On the next page, create a collage that shows all of the things that are unique, fantastic, and cool about you. Your collage can include anything that can be pasted to the next page.
Here are some suggestions you can use to get started:
* Include words and pictures that you write, draw, print, or cut out of magazines.
* Print some of your own photos.
* Attach personal artifacts like a fortune from a fortune cookie, a handwritten note, or a movie-ticket stub. If the artifact is too large to paste onto the page, draw it or take a picture and print it.
I Love These Cool Things about Myself
Admire your collage from "Crazy Cool". What things do you see that you really love about yourself? Did you get all the things that you love about yourself into your collage? If not, you can add more at any time.
In the boxes below, capture in words or pictures the top three things you really know and LOVE about yourself.
I am
I am
I am
Bookmark this page and read it out loud often.
My Future Self
Right now, you are perfect, and you are growing. People continuously change. We learn new skills, go to new places, meet new people, and try new things. We are always evolving.
Did you know that you can decide how you progress? Your dreams and plans for the future shape how you change, and you can choose to change in ways that make you happy. How about that for good news?
This one takes a little bit of visual thinking, and you can do it easily. Let's imagine you are now ten years in the future. Make another collage to show the new things that are going to be cool, unique, and fantastic about you in the future.
What are the new things you will love most about yourself in the future?
Next year In five years Ten years and after
___________________ ___________________ ___________________
___________________ ___________________ ___________________
___________________ ___________________ ___________________
Use your journal pages in the back if you need more room. On the next page, create a collage that shows the new things that will be unique and fantastic about you in the future. Your collage can include anything that can be pasted to the next page.
Remember, you can be super-creative!
Letter to Yourself
You can accomplish a lot in a year. We all wonder, What will it be like in the future? It's fun to think about the future, and your imagination can help. Imagine yourself one year from now.
Imagine what's going on in your life that makes you happy. What types of activities are you doing? What have you accomplished? What are you doing for fun? What makes you proud? Who are you surrounding yourself with: school friends, siblings, new community friends?
Use the lines on the next page to write your older self a letter. Congratulate your older self on all you have learned and accomplished. Remind your future self of important things you know about yourself today and memories that are important. Share with your future self the special hopes and dreams that you have for your life.
Dear future self,
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Love, ME
Quotes That Guide
Quotes are everywhere: on T-shirts, notebooks, posters, websites, and even in this book. Why are quotes used so much? Quotes can touch our hearts, inspire us, and help us to understand and push past life's tough times. Quotes can also help us to remember happy experiences.
Let's explore quotes to help you find your favorite. Here are a few places to look:
• the lyrics to your favorite songs
• a line from a favorite movie or book
• inspirational people like Eleanor Roosevelt, Emma Watson, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Oprah, Millie Bobby Brown, or Gabby Douglas
• quotes about emotions that you enjoy feeling, such as love, kindness, joy, silliness, or gratitude
• the people you admire
Write down your favorite quote:
Draw a picture, write a poem or short story, or create an abstract design that tells the meaning of your quote.
Tune In to You
Music is a part of life. It influences your mood. The type of music you enjoy is also a part of your style. What would your life be like without music?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
What are some of your favorite songs? Close your eyes and really listen to them. You can do this by imagining the songs or playing them out loud. How do they make you feel? What do they make you think about? Fill in your answers below.
Name of a favorite song:
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
When I hear this song, I feel and think about:
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Now think about your unique song — a song you will write for yourself. You could share it with the whole world, or no one else ever has to hear this song. It is up to you. What is the style of music of your song?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
What key words are in your song?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Would there be instruments or just vocals in your song?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
If there are instruments, which ones are in your song?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
How do you feel about your song?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
What colors and images come to mind when you hear your song?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Why is this song important to you?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
How will this song help you to be YOU?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
On the next page, write the words to your song.
Magical Wish
If a genie popped out of a lamp and said she would give you three wishes, what would you wish for? Would you wish for material things for yourself, like a cool jacket? You could wish for something that your family would want, like a new bike for your little sister or concert tickets for your older brother. You could even use one of the wishes to help the global community, like wishing for a cure for cancer or a world without bullying.
If you were granted three wishes, what would they be?
1. ______________________________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________________________
Why would you choose these three wishes?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Thank You
Many people move in and out of your life; some bring you joy, while others bring challenges. There are people in your life who push you to be better and others who support you.
Write a thank you note to three people who have most influenced your life. Use the following pages to brainstorm and write your letters. Here are a few examples to get you thinking:
Dear Aunt Daphne,
Thank you for being such a cool aunt! I am so glad I get to go on all kinds of fun adventures with you. William and I always have a blast with you. I also want to thank you for being there for me when I need you. I am really grateful that you are such a good listener, and when I have problems, you give me advice on doing the right thing.
You are the best aunt ever!
Thank you, Charlotte
Dear Mom and Dad,
Thank you for being such amazing parents. I know I sometimes have a hard time following your rules, or we fight and argue. But whenever I need you, you are supportive and kind. I am also thankful for all the things you give me, like birthday gifts and new school clothes. I love you both so much!
Love, Me, your awesome kid
Dear little sister,
Thank you for being the best sister in the whole world! I know we may argue and fight sometimes, but I would never change one minute of the time we get to spend together. I will always be around when you need someone to play with or talk to. You're the greatest!
Love, Your cool big sister
