How do you talk to the children in your life about spirit? Do you talk about “energy” at the dinner table? Do you share how breathing helps calm a nervous situation? Have you taught them visualization to “see” a positive outcome to a difficult situation?

I have been counseling people since 1992 and have met several who stare at me with a blank face when I ask them if they have a spirit within. They are surprised that I would bring this up. Yet, in the face of drug abuse and alcoholism, overeating, codependency, domestic violence, anger issues and more, the one key connection that is missing is the ability to nourish ourselves with positive spiritual energy.

How often have you discussed the idea of spirit within and the greater spirit with your children? How about with your peers? Our children seem to absorb more when we share about ourselves from our own experience, rather than telling them what they should believe. If you feel awkward and haven’t talked about your spiritual feelings in awhile, practice with a friend. You may be surprised at how this exercise helps make a connection itself.

Another discussion that can be very helpful is to talk about personal energy and group energy. How is your energy today? We each have our own energy vaults. What do you do when you feel low in energy? What are some things you do to help increase your energy level? Share your experiences with your children. Maybe they have some good ideas to share with you.

Ever notice how some people and/or situations seem to take your energy away? Why is this? Do you know how to protect yourself from being robbed of your own personal energy? Have you ever been in a group and got sucked into their energy, despite the fact it was not what you wanted to do? How can you avoid this in the future?

It’s also helpful to share with children that connecting with a positive energy can help when feeling empty, nervous, scared or stressed. Set an example of calming yourself in stressful situations by making the connection within – perhaps simply by becoming aware of your breath. For example: Breathe in and count 1, 2. Feel the air move. Breathe out to a count of 1, 2, 3. Continue until you feel calm and relaxed. This one simple tool can help enormously in many different situations. What other examples can you share with your children?

Recent world events have had a lot of people praying for peace at the same time. Do you pray with your children? We usually pray in church or at a time of crisis, or right before Thanksgiving dinner. But what about at other times? Some find that in the face of crisis praying helps to soothe the soul. Others believe that praying for peace joins with other energies around the world to perpetuate peace. Share with your kids why you pray, how you learned to pray, and how it affects you when you pray.

You might also discuss other rituals in your daily life that help you to feel connected to spirit. Which rituals help you? Do some hamper your wellness? Is there a ritual you can begin with your children? Many rituals help to bond families and can influence children for years to come. You may also benefit!

As I learned at the age of 10, we all crave a sense of belonging. We need to feel connected to something bigger than us, something that can give us energy, support, calmness and a sense of well being. Without knowledge and experience of how to nourish our spirit for the highest good, we may take the easy, low effort option – drugs, gangs, alcohol – to achieve a sense of belonging, relaxation, or excitement. Knowing how to connect with the positive will help our children to avoid the negative. So, what messages are you sending to the kids in your life about spirit?