Every year on this day, Wuf Shanti’s birthday, I reflect on how I got here, the people I have met along this journey, the amazing opportunities I have been blessed to have, and the important lessons I have learned through mindful education. I feel profound gratitude for all of it, but especially those people who we have been able to help, even if it was in a small way. This includes every student, mentor, guide, teacher, guidance counselor, reader, family member, friend, and of course, my Great-Grandpa Jack and my Grandpa Alan, who have taught me to Think Well to Be Well and to Get to Neutral.
It has been 12 years. From yoga to meditation to mindfulness to social emotional learning to mental health advocacy. From picture books to songs to videos, a TV show, and a mobile app. From Ted Talks to the Stress Less Book and Udonis Haslem writing the foreword. From learning as a kid to teaching others as an adult through public speaking, writing, and audio-therapy. What a phenomenal 12 years, I could not be more grateful for how I’ve evolved and all the people who have helped and supported this vision turned reality.
If I had one piece of advice to give to other teens, it would be to find something you believe in, listen with an open mind to those around you, put down the phone and take a social media break, touch some grass, interact with others face to face, take a breath, enjoy the moment, be kind to yourself, and look for goodness in others. Ok, maybe that was more than one piece of advice. 🙂 Oh yeah, and practice some mindfulness, even if it is just for 5 minutes a day. It will help to ground you and keep you balanced. You can do something as simple as breathing while on the golf course or listening to your favorite song while focusing on one aspect of it like the keys. Wuf Shanti taught me that, and I am sure it has helped me cope with daily stress on more than one occasion.
There were many reasons for starting Wuf Shanti, but helping people was always at the top of the list. I’m 20 years old now, and my desire to help people and make the world a better place has never wavered. So, I urge you, try to give a person one compliment per day, or hold the door open. You never know what can help someone or save their life. There is no better feeling then seeing a smile on a friend or stranger’s face, and knowing you’re the reason why. I typically say when this anniversary rolls around, that I don’t know where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing 5 years from now. However, I do hope that 12 years from now, on Wuf Shanti’s 24th birthday, the world is a more peace-loving, less violent place, and we were able to play a small role in helping that come true. Happy Birthday, Wuf Shanti! Thank you!
To learn more about the Stress Less book: https://wufshanti.com/stress-less-mindfulness-teens-book/