Blog Post

More WOW-Bell!!!

Marsya Ancker, BA, E-RYT • Jan 14, 2020

Want to encourage positive behavior? Ring that WOW-Bell!

What makes YOU feel good about yourself? What makes your KIDS feel good? 
For me, a sense of accomplishment & feeling appreciated (aka a sense of acknowledgement) can take a bad day & turn it good.

HOW can you help the people in your life feel a sense of accomplishment & appreciation?  
A WOW-bell , of course! 

What is a WOW-bell?  
A WOW-bell is a bell that is rung when someone does something worthy of acknowledgement, aka a pat on the back, a gold star, or a hearty "well done!" 

WHY do "pats on the back" matter?
A sense of pride in one’s self, aka positive self-esteem, is essential both for happiness NOW & for success later in life. 

How do we build that pride & self-esteem? 
By acknowledging effort , rewarding accomplishment , supporting teamwork and developing resilience.

Traditionally, our society has rewarded accomplishment/achievement, victory, winning... 

By only rewarding the successful completion of a task , however, we create a "fixed mindset" in our young people that reduces creativity & resilience. It teaches them that there is only one kind of success, that anything other than that one outcome has no value, doesn't matter.

When we reward young people for effort, the steps they take along the way, and we teach them that it's okay to have the wrong answer, to make a mistake or to hit a roadblock, they develop a "resilient mindset" and a "not-yet" attitude instead of an "I can't" attitude. 

They learn that set-backs aren't permanent & that obstacles CAN be overcome.

By using the WOW-bell, YOU are encouraging a "resilient mindset."
You are rewarding effort, teamwork, responsibility, helpfulness, creativity & problem-solving. You are giving value to the process of trying, failing & learning that leads to growth, improvement & ultimate success.

There are several ways to use your WOW-bell:
• To acknowledge accomplishment , some people like to make a list of “WOW-bell-worthy” tasks including: promptly completed homework, specific chores, or a goal that has been set in advance. Then they ring the bell when the things on the list are completed. 
• You can reward effort & “stick-to-it-iveness” by ringing the WOW-bell when someone finishes a project that took long time, had multiple steps, or presented unexpected challenges.  
• Encourage resilience by ringing the WOW-bell when someone faced with a setback or problem either asks for help (after having tried to solve the problem on their own) or comes up with a creative solution to that problem.
• The WOW-bell can also be used to acknowledge someone for going “above and beyond” their regular responsibilities. For example, if someone helps with their siblings, takes out the trash, feeds the pet, helps make dinner, vacuums, folds the laundry… (anything that’s not normally their responsibility), that is a WOW-bell-worthy action. 
• Speaking of going above & beyond, remember to ring the WOW-bell for YOURSELF. You’re going above & beyond almost every day, and you deserve some recognition too! If you do something that requires special effort or a task that you particularly dislike (for me that would include taking out the trash & dusting), RING that BELL!!!

Start that cycle of positive reinforcement today! Get your WOW-bell ringing!
  • Hang it in the kitchen, the living room, by the front door… where your family will be most likely to see & use it.
  • Encourage EVERYone in your family to make of list of things for which they'd like to be acknowledged.
  • Allow EVERYone to ring the bell for themselves AND in a show of appreciation for others

Ring WOW-bell often & enthusiastically!!! 
Let people being celebrated ring that WOW-bell themselves!!!
Ring it to say "Good Job"
Make your WOW-bell ring LOUD & PROUD! 

Feeling creative? Do your kids like to decorate things? 
Make your own WOW-bells for that EXTRA-special touch! 
Here are links to several sources of Cow-Bell that you can turn into your own personalized WOW-bells:

Not feeling particularly creative? 

Once your family has had its WOW-bell for a week or two, write us a little note & let us know how it’s going. Tell us how you’re using it in YOUR home & what changes you’ve noticed.
• Do your children do their homework more readily knowing they get the to ring the bell when it’s done? 
• Are your children doing their chores with less nagging because they know their effort will be acknowledged?
• Has the chance to ring the WOW-bell for going “above & beyond” inspired people in your household to be more helpful? 
• How are YOU using the WOW-bell in your home to encourage the behavior you want?  

We’re looking forward to hearing from you!
Marsya~

Want to be happier? Want your kid to be smarter AND happier? Go PLAY

By Marsya Ancker, BA, E-RYT • 26 Jun, 2020
Play, recess, and physical education improve the ability to handle stress by "training” the body. Play, particularly play that stimulates the vestibular system (the part of the inner-ear responsible for our sense of balance and spatial orientation), activates areas of the brain critical to our ability to pay attention, turn our thoughts into actions, coordinate movement and respond to sensory data. Swinging, rolling, jumping, crawling, rocking, and tumbling (all of which stimulate the vestibular system) are, therefore, crucial not only for your child's physical development but also for their cognitive development and their mental health... and those needs don't change much as we get older. Activities like running, jumping or playing tag help develop the experience needed to recover faster from the quick surges of adrenaline associated with both physically demanding activity and emotionally stressful environments. This increases your emotional resilience and lowers levels of chronic stress. These things are also a LOT of fun, which is why it's no surprise that students who are engaged in daily physical education programs consistently show superior motor fitness, better academic performance and a better attitude toward school than students who do not participate in daily physical education. (Do you remember log-rolling down hills when you were a kid?! Who needs roller coasters!) Happily, this leads to an obvious conclusion: If you want to help your children develop to their fullest potential and live their happiest, best lives, tell them to “go play." If you want to bring more joy, balance and “coping capacity” into YOUR life, “go play”! Have an at home dance party, move your groove thing, jump up and down like a maniac, wave your hands in the air like you just don't care, roll down a hill, hold hands while you spin in a circle, get outside, play tag, do a cartwheel, jump for joy! Fifteen minutes a day can make a world of difference… Wishing you a day filled with light, learning & joy! Marsya~ To learn more, check out Teaching with the Brain in Mind, 2nd Edition by Eric Jensen Partial Bibliography Why & How Physical Activity Promotes Experience-Induced Brain Plasticity , by Kempermann et al, published by Frontiers In Neuroscience , 2010
End of Comfort Zone This way to Happiness

Want to be happier? Get scared

By Marsya Ancker, BA, E-RYT • 24 Jun, 2020
Want to be happier? Ask yourself this question: What are you afraid of? If you want to find real happiness & connection, you need to break out of your comfort zone. The first step toward growth is to get a little scared!
Mandala with the Sanskrit OM in the center

There's no place like OM

By Marsya Ancker, BA, E-RYT • 29 Jan, 2020
Have you tried meditating and found it boring or frustrating? You're not alone! Give Om-ing a try. Om-ing has been proven to reduce stress & anxiety and to treat depression. It's also Om-ing fun & easy. Shift your vibration & try Om-ing today

I clicked on the video expecting a laugh & instead got words of wisdom

By Marsya Ancker, BA, E-RYT • 24 Jan, 2020
You might already be familiar with JP Sears, of Ultra Spiritual Life fame. If not, the next time you want a good laugh along with your words of wisdom, enter his name in your YouTube search field and click on one of his many videos. Because he came to my attention with his videos like "How to get offended," "How to be spiritual" & "Prancercise," I didn't realize that JP Sears is also a life coach with real wisdom to share until I clicked on the video above. His perspective on why people become narcissists and why people become involved with narcissists was refreshingly direct. It can be hard to break unhealthy relationship patterns. We've spent a lifetime building them and, in some form or another, they've worked for us. Often, however, the systems that we create to "keep us safe" in one situation don't translate well. We end up building walls that keep other people out and leave us feeling isolated & alone. Using a variety of tools including Reiki, Guided Meditation , and more, I can help you get to the heart of what's creating these patterns, so you can make the shift. If you'd like to make an energetic shift, if you want to understand the WHY behind the WHAT... If you would like to feel the FREEDOM of moving forward fearlessly, unencumbered by old-baggage that is no longer serving you, book a Wellness-work session today. Don't hesitate to reach out with your questions & feedback. We love hearing from you! Wishing you a day filled with light, laughter & growth! Marsya~
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