There is wisdom all around. A few weeks ago, while cheering on the sidelines at my 12-year-old son’s soccer game, I enjoyed a conversation with Kindergarten Teacher Doug Hansen, who teaches at Sammamish Montessori School. While guiding his five-year-old students to be their absolute best, he starts every class by inviting the children to join with him in sharing three powerful affirmations:
- I am getting better every day.
- I deserve to be treated well.
- I am doing great things in my life.
Hansen believes in the innate greatness of every child and wants to build it. Enhancing the self-esteem of every student is among his highest priorities. When children in his class break habits like sucking their thumbs, the classmates give them a standing ovation. Hansen says that the children have to keep challenging themselves to learn and grow. Even when they don’t get things right the first time, he encourages them to keep trying.
It occurs to me that Doug Hansen has it right, and the three affirmations he invites his students to recite each day are well worthy of repeating among people everywhere.
If you’ve been running a bit on empty as 2009 draws to a close and need an infusion of good energy, treat yourself to the repeating of Hansen’s affirmations and see how much better you feel.
