If you are only interested in the Metta (Lovingkindness) Meditation, advance to the 15 minute mark

Summary

TJ Belasco reflects on his retirement from teaching and the joy he finds in working with young adults. He shares his experience of conducting a workshop on social and emotional learning and emphasizes the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for students. TJ also discusses the power of gratitude and the practice of giving small tokens of appreciation. He then explores the negative impact of online negativity and encourages focusing on positive support and celebration. The episode concludes with a loving-kindness meditation.

Keywords

retirement, teaching, workshop, social and emotional learning, gratitude, positivity, loving-kindness meditation

Takeaways

• Retirement can provide opportunities to pursue new interests and gain more control over one's time.
• Creating a safe and supportive environment is crucial for effective teaching and learning.
• Expressing gratitude and giving tokens of appreciation can bring joy and positivity to both the giver and the recipient.
• Focusing on positive support and celebration can counteract the negativity and divisiveness prevalent online.
• Loving-kindness meditation can cultivate compassion and positive energy towards oneself and others.

• Choosing Positivity and Support over Negativity
• The Power of Gratitude and Tokens of Appreciation

• "I had absolutely one of the best days I could have asked"
• "When we can encourage them to... take off their armor and be willing to feel vulnerable because they feel safe, they trust you."
• "It's nice when what we do isn't just a job, but it gives back to us as well."

Chapters

00:00Introduction and Reflection on Retirement

03:09Creating a Safe and Supportive Learning Environment

05:11The Power of Gratitude and Tokens of Appreciation

07:43Choosing Positivity and Support over Negativity

13:29Cultivating Compassion through Loving-Kindness Meditation