When was the last time you stopped to think about what it means to be well. In fact, when was the last time you felt well? What was going on? What brought this about?
Does being well happen by chance or is it something you consciously work on?
Each year, Hugh Moss and I run programs in Chamonix on Leadership in Sustainability for Year 6 children. Over the week, we have the children think about what it means to be well as an individual, a team/community and a whole planet.
Without prompting, the children intuitively understand that these things are inextricably linked - that for us to be well, the community needs to be well and the planet, that holds us all, needs to be well.
While our programs aim to help the children open their eyes, it is they who open our eyes. Let me share some of what they come up with.
On individual well being, you need to look after your physical, emotional and mental needs. Sleep, food, water is as important as love, belonging and recognition as well as creativity, challenges and opportunity.
On team/community wellbeing, you need to be fair, communicate effectively, look out for each other, understand your role and know what it is that you can contribute.
On world wellbeing, can I suggest you read the whole of Grace Gilby's poem at http://newleadersinsustainability.com/category/schools/esher/
where she hears the environment say:
"Stop, stop time, STOP!
Mankind, look after us, feed us, love us
Not slaughter my only way of living for your own good
I sit, lie, and stand, soaking, filtering the dusty clouds above from the giant's mouth
We try and overcome the beauty that you are ruiningBut no, it's not enough.
Listening to these children is very sobering because what I notice through coaching others is that we are not very good at looking after ourselves and being well. And in the words of a 10 year old - how can the world be well if we are not well?
Something Practical
Can I recommend that for the next five minutes the only thing you think about is you. And take the time to do the following exercise:
1. Remember a time when you felt really, really well
2. Journal what it was about this time that allowed you to be well
3. Using these insights, identify what you need to be "weller" right now
It does not need to be more complicated than this.
Something New
If you would like to keep learning from the children and what they have to say on being well, please feel free to follow their progress in Chamonix over the next couple of weeks at www.newleadersinsustainability.com
Reigate St Mary's arrive on Monday 11th June and Ashley Primary School are with us on Monday 18th June.
Be well and take care.
