You may have heard of Harmony Day or Harmony Week and not been 100% sure what it is or what it means to your students. At its core, Harmony Week is a celebration of the different cultures that make up our communities. With 49% of Australians being born overseas or having a parent who was born overseas, Australia is a uniquely multicultural nation and celebrating that diversity is an opportunity for us to grow closer with the people around us.

Embedded within our cultural diversity is the customs, traditions, languages, beliefs, and history of our communities. Whether it be a tradition from thousands of years ago or something you say every day, helping others to understand these cultural differences helps us to think and act differently, reduces discrimination, and broadens our minds to new and old ideas.

Celebrating Harmony Week is more important to your students than you may realise.

Bridging the gap between cultures, however, can be really difficult. The feeling of being misunderstood by your peers and the people you respect is disheartening and can lead to conflict. That is why an event like Harmony Week can be so important. It’s an opportunity to reflect on where we’ve come from, embrace the elements of our culture that can carry us all forward, and do it in a way that pre-frames students to be open to sharing these parts of their culture that may otherwise seem daunting to bring up in public.

4 Ways You Can Celebrate Harmony Week

1. Cultural Cooking Day

Food brings people together. You know, we know it. Food is also an integral part of a culture’s fabric. It is weaved with stories and ingredients that hold a special spot in the history of your community and can be exciting to share.

This Harmony Week, you can hold a cultural cooking day for your class. Everyone brings a meal that is linked to their culture and brings enough of it to share. It’s like a massive pot-luck except every meal is a growth opportunity. Ask your students to prepare a meal to share with the class, and also prepare some key information about what that meal is and why it matters in your culture.

For bonus points, you can bring decorations to match the meal too.

2. Multicultural Music Appreciation

Singing, dancing, music! It’s been around as long as we have and it isn’t going anywhere.

Music is a method for cultures to share experiences and tell stories. Huge cultural milestones can be marked by music: weddings, blowing out our birthday candles, scoring a goal. Holidays around the world have distinct music that accompanies them, and different countries have whole festivals and events centred around parades of music and celebration.

Have a day where you play multicultural music over the PA speakers or in class. If you have a music department, maybe you can ask to teach some multicultural music lessons or have students perform music.

3. Model Cultural Storytelling

The stories we tell to make sense of the world around us are pivotal elements of our cultures and heritage. This is a great element of culture to explore for Harmony Week as students will find it fascinating – it also requires little in terms of resources as most of these stories are now copyright free and available for everyone to read, enjoy and reflect on.

Make sure you pitch the storytelling to your year group and are making it engaging for the students you are working with. One of the best ways to create a space for students to share cultural stories is for you to model it. Take some time to share with your class some of your cultural heritage. What stories are embedded within your culture that you can draw upon? How have some of these stories helped to define your interaction with your culture and community?

By leading the way and modeling what this storytelling can look like, you can then open up the floor to the students to do the same or to have conversations with their friends around their culture.

4. Promote Local Community Events

Harmony week is filled to the brim with local community events celebrating different cultures, so look around! To make it easier, the team at Harmony Week have put together a shared calendar of events from areas around Australia that you can draw upon to see what is near you or to register your own.

Take a look here to see if there is something you could engage your students in nearby!

Appreciating Diversity is the Key

Harmony Week is about appreciating the diversity of cultures and celebrating that which makes us unique. But it doesn’t end with this week, and it doesn’t stop at just cultures.

It’s important we take the time to appreciate the diversity of others around us and understand that what makes us different and unique are strengths of ours.

If you’d like some resources to help you achieve this, Burn Bright has developed online courses for your students that tackle the concept of appreciating diversity and are designed to cater to students of all age groups. To see more about these and how to get access, take a look at our Digital Programs here.

 “Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark.” —Henri Frederic Amiel

Passion is what guides us and directs us toward purpose, motivation, and success.

Want to help give your young people a framework to finding their passion? Want to show them how to discover and embrace their strengths and reach their potential?

There is no magic formula, but we’ve got some handy tips below!

Give everything a try

You don’t know how cold the water is until you feel it, you don’t know if you like coffee until you sip it, you don’t know if you love something until you try it!

You never know until you give something a go. A lot of young people are afraid to try new things, are wary of failing, and think there’s nothing they’re passionate about. Encourage and model trying new things. Get out there, try new hobbies, read new books, learn about new topics. Who knows what will get them feeling that spark of interest, that fire of passion?

The job of a young person is not to know but to TRY.

What do you stand for?

What we get passionate about is strongly connected to our core beliefs and values.

We at Burn Bright get super passionate about all things leadership because we believe in and value the power and importance of individuals, to have their own influence and to be influenced well!

Most young people we work with have never sat down and worked out what their core values are, what makes them uniquely them. So have a think about what the things are that you believe in and care about most, and let them guide where you look to discover your passions.

What do you get really excited or angry about?

There are times when the fire just rises in our belly, when we feel angry or frustrated or really excited about something, and the cool thing is, we all feel that way about different things! So pay attention to what provokes these extreme emotions.

If you get really angry at situations that seem unfair, maybe you have a passion for justice or compassion. Or if you get really excited about sport, maybe you have a passion for competition or teamwork. Notice what stirs you, what interests you, even if it’s a negative emotion.

It isn’t set in stone

Your passion isn’t set in stone, or written down and you just need to discover what it says. They may grow and change with you through life. This means we need to stay on the journey of discovery, examining our passions.

We live in an awesome time where you can make a living out of pretty much anything and through some pretty crazy passions. So get excited, knowing you can try a whole lot of different things, and there are many passions out there that could light your fire!

So those are four steps to begin a passion-discovering journey.

Keep guiding your young person towards wellbeing and meaning. Help them discover their passion, the spark inside every one of us that ignites them to live a meaningful, full, and purposeful life. Give your young people the gift of discovery through our Passions Digital Course – learn more here: Digital for Parents

Focusing on flaws will not build your young person up.

But finding their strengths is a surefire way to encourage, uplift and empower them!

We’re passionate about strength-finding, keep reading to find out how to be a strength-finder for your young person.

Put the Rose-Coloured Glasses Back On

We love a bit of science and evidence-based understanding. Well, a deficit mindset is a scientific description of when most of us tend to look at a situation through the ‘what’s bad or wrong’ perspective. It’s a natural default; extremely helpful when you’re in the jungle and spot the beady eyes of what might be a hungry leopard. Not so helpful when talking to our wild teenagers, however.

A deficit mindset can make us miss potential opportunities, make us react negatively, increase our stress and anxiety, and prevent us from moving forward or developing resilience.

So when we see a situation, maybe the kitchen has been left an absolute mess after your teen has tried baking brownies, put the rose-coloured glasses on. Reframe. Yes it’s a mess, but isn’t it great they tried! And isn’t mess a normal part of life. And what a great opportunity for them to practice cleaning up after themselves. Hopefully you even get a bite of brownie too 🙂

Discover and Use Your Strengths

When you know your own strengths, it’s easier to find them in others. We can reframe our thinking and apply our strengths in different situations.

One of my top strengths is Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence. When I first learnt that, I wasn’t too sure what to do with it. Sure, I love a sunset and flowers fill my heart with joy. But how can that help me at work, or with my family and friends?

But knowing my strength was the first step. Then I took notice and discovered how it made me happy and calmed me down. And how I am good at finding excellence in other people. So I am using those strengths to make situations better.

And when someone is quiet, I notice their strength of thoughtfulness. When someone dreams a bit too big, I appreciate their creativity and optimism. When someone cracks jokes throughout a meeting, I appreciate the humour and zest they are bringing to a situation. It’s all about perspective.

Combine Your Strengths to Become Superhuman!

Imagine a world where we were all the same. Maybe we are all strong in humour or all strong in self-regulation. What a boring world. We would either be very silly and get nothing done, or have absolutely no joy and fun in a very regulated world!

See, it’s our differences that make us strong.

The great thing about strengths is that when we combine them, we can be superhumans! We need other people’s strengths to balance our weaknesses and vice versa. We want a world of colour, full of differences that can push us and grow us and support us. We learn from other people’s strengths and all use our individual strengths in collaboration in a team effort.

Learn More…

Take the time to discover your strengths, you could even do this together with your young person.

Check out the 24 character strengths at http://www.viacharacter.org/www/Character-Strengths.

And we have digital module options which focus specifically on finding and building your young persons strengths- check it out here https://www.nationalleadershipcamp.com.au/digital_courses/high-school-forging-unshakable-foundations-pack/.

We desperately want our young people to have the self-confidence to go out, be themselves, flourish, and make a positive difference. For that, they need the positive talk and self-confidence to face the world.

There’s no real quick fix to self-confidence. But just like a plant, begin watering that seed and you will see something in the future bloom!

Where does self-confidence come from?

Like all intangible things, self-confidence doesn’t just come from one source and isn’t easy to trace.

It comes from both outside and internal factors.

Factors like self-belief, past experiences, levels of wellbeing, experiences, history can all affect someone’s self-confidence. But it can also be built and grown. There are many ‘quick fix confidence hacks’ online, but here are two key points we believe really effects self-confidence.

What do you believe about life and yourself?

What we believe about life and ourself will ultimately shape our self-confidence.

If we believe that our value comes from our appearance, we will never have high self-confidence unless we think we look ‘good’ enough. Or if we believe we need to be liked to be important, our self-confidence will always be effected by this. So we need a self-awareness as to what our values and beliefs actually are, and whether they are helpful and true.

Let me encourage you to examine your beliefs and values, and think, are these actually MY values, or have these been given to me by others, that I don’t necessarily hold to be true within myself. Because you, rockstar, are awesome, and your self-worth doesn’t need to come from others opinions or transient things like appearance!

Who do you surround yourself with?

The words and actions of others affect us.

If we surround ourselves with people who only talk negatively about themselves or about us, that will affect how we perceive ourselves. Include people in your life who you admire, who have a strong level of self-confidence, and who encourage and uplift you. And become that person for others too.

“We rise by lifting others” – Robert Ingersoll

So say to yourself and to others, “Hey I’ve got this! You’ve got this. And you’re awesome.” We sure think so 🙂

Other ways to build your self-esteem includes examining your self-talk and taking healthy risks. If finding actionable ways to boost your self-esteem or the self-esteem of another young person is what you’re interested in – take a look at our digital course packages which can be done in your own home! A great first step before taking the next one.

But it is so important! Your young person needs you more than ever in their teenage years to provide guidance, support, and even just a little conversation.

On top of that, studies show that young people are looking for advice on how to have healthy relationships. Why not let them learn from you, rather than just from the media and their peers?

Starting that is tricky, so we’ve compiled our top 3 tips on how to connect with your teen below, so keep reading!

It Starts with YOU

Young people are very observant. Your teen is not going to want to talk to you if they don’t admire how you relate to people or think you’re interested in them.

How are your relationships going? Are you showing up, being present, being interested?

Once you’ve reflected on how you’re going, it’s time for you to show up. Make the first move. Be present with your young person, spend time with them doing something they love. Put your phone away and embrace the silence while it’s there. And hopefully after they know you’ve got something good to add and they can see you’re interested, well, they just might start filling that silence.

Be Positive

It’s so hard not to point out the things your young person isn’t getting right yet, especially when they’re so obvious to you. Your young person is on a journey of learning and discovery, and they want you to be there supporting them, rather than pointing out where they’re getting it wrong.

You have an opportunity to be their biggest cheerleader! Point out their strengths, celebrate their successes, and dream big alongside them.

It’s way easier to do something you’re being encouraged in, than to do something you’ve been told off about. So even if they’re not being very communicative, celebrate the small times that they are.

Ask the Right Questions

“How was your day?” “Good.”

We’re sure you’ve been in this one before.

A good question leads to a good response. So if we want better responses…. we need to ask better questions!

Ask a closed question to get a conversation rolling, then open up the conversation and let your young person guide it. Listen without judgment.

Don’t be afraid to share yourself, and to ask those more uncomfortable questions. If we shy away from difficult or awkward topics, we demonstrate to teenagers that there is shame in discussing those topics and that they can’t or shouldn’t talk about those things. So embrace the discomfort and open a conversation. Ask a question about their feelings, friendships or family, then quietly wait and listen. And be open to share about failures as well as successes. They can generate so much insight.  

Starting this conversations might seem simple, but we both know it isn’t easy. Working with tens of thousands of teenagers across Australia and New Zealand has given us a bit of an insight into having these conversations and we wanted to make what we have learned accessible to you. We’ve compiled everything we’ve figured out into a list of 20 questions that can help to create some of those more meaningful conversations with your young person.

If you’d like to use them, click here to download our FREE 20 questions to Deepen your Relationship with your Young Person resource.

“Eating a balanced diet and exercising provides immediate stress, sadness, and anxiety relief for your body and mind. However, true wellbeing is a state of balance, continuous development, and acceptance,” says Connell Gill, a sought-after horseback riding adventure coach at Horse Riding Brisbane.

Are you interested in learning some fantastic and doable methods to boost your potential for happiness, satisfaction, and meaning? Are you open to learning how to enhance the quality of your daily life? I believe I hear you exclaim, “Yes, please!”

Read on, rockstar!

Love Yourself

The body is your means of going about in this world. Respect and care for your body is an expression of self-love. Fruits, vegetables, healthy grains, and lean protein are all excellent sources of energy for your body. Every day, you should move it. Do not smoke or drink excessively. Meditate. Be engaged, keep your skin from the sun, and keep your mind active to help yourself age gracefully. Have a good night’s sleep, be wary of your tendency for self-criticism, and instead dwell in praise.

Carpe Diem—Be Present 

Breathe. Today is the present moment. Stop living in the past or concerning about the future. Shut the whispers in your mind and take pleasure in your power to make your own life right now. If you’re going to do the dishes, do the dishes. If you’re writing a blog article, finish it. If you’re going to play with your kids, go ahead and play with them. It’s more tricky than it seems, but it’s well worthwhile practising day after day.

Manage Your Stress

While it is impossible to escape stress in today’s world, it is undoubtedly feasible to manage it. It is essential to note how to manage stress wisely and efficiently. To that end, try to stay away from stressful circumstances. However, when things go out of control, write down the sources of your stress and the steps you may take to change your response, attitude, and even the circumstance.

Enjoy And Laugh!

Take life lightly. Those who stay cheerful, laugh more and strive to be happy live better lives than those always concerned. Research revealed that youngsters laugh 200 times each day, whereas adults laugh just 15 times per day. It is essential to have a positive attitude and laugh more often to live a happy and fulfilling life.

Celebrate

Play and whimsy are essential to our wellbeing. A good dose of joy nourishes your soul and drives your ingenuity. Celebrating is a great way to spread joy and integrate more play into our lives. Have you accomplished something significant recently? Did you have a celebration? Maybe something modest happened yet meaningful to you? Have you had any fun? Traditions, sincere comments, cards in lunchboxes, pranks, lavish nights out, or quiet evenings are all ways to celebrate.

Put Yourself In A  Productive State Of Mind

Being extremely productive is also a part of living a happy life. In all seriousness, you don’t intend to go through life without doing anything that will impact people’s lives. Have you discovered where you are most productive?

Make And Keep Good Relationships

Your relationships heavily influence your mental health. Make new friends and form healthy relationships by going out. A good relationship has been shown in studies to enhance happiness, emotional wellbeing and decrease depression.

Nurture Optimism

Positive thinking is often misconstrued as naïve or “Pollyanna” mentality. In reality, optimism boosts work performance, inventiveness, stress resistance, and self-esteem. You may apply positivity to how you speak to yourself in difficult situations, explain previous experiences, and plan for the future. Positive thoughts may be self-fulfilling in the pursuit of happiness. Developing your capacity to be positive is good for your health and prosperity. Isn’t it awesome?

Improve Your Wellbeing, Quality of Life—and Burn Brighter

Naturally, the ideal time to begin is right now!
Burn Bright is catalysing a culture of inner wellness for changemakers. We’re motivated by a sense of love, care, and understanding for everyone who strives to make this world a better place, including a desire to assist the numerous manifestations and movements that we all support. If you need any help in improving your wellbeing and quality of life, contact us and allow us to help.

Kindly written for Burn Bright by Maya Carter.

Email: mayajonescarter@gmail.com

Last Monday was World Gratitude Day, a day to celebrate this appreciation and being grateful for the things around you. World Gratitude Day started in Hawaii in 1965 and has grown ever since. It’s intended to bring the world together to reflect on what makes them grateful and challenges us to share this gratitude.

Take a look at some of the ways that you can express gratitude below!

Say it with words

Have a chat with someone! Let them know you are grateful for them and tell them why. Catch up with a friend over a coffee or by doing something you love together and be intentional with your interaction. Use the moment to express your gratitude.

Write a thank-you note

Don’t want to say it with words? Why not write it down in a thank you note for a friend. Get out some cute paper and pens and put your thoughts into writing. Leave it somewhere they will find it.

Take a moment to reflect

Slow down for a moment. Take note of everything around you that you are grateful for. Go for a walk or find a nice lookout and be present in the moment. Take note of what is going on around you. Maybe even detail what you observe in a journal.

Random act of kindness

Actions speak louder than words! Pay it forward by doing a random act of kindness for someone you are grateful for. It could be a bit of baking for a friend or helping your family around the house. Every little action no matter how small can help and make a difference for those around you!

These are just some ideas of what you can do to express gratitude for the world around you! Let us know any other ways you like to express gratitude.

Looking for more ways to practise gratitude?

Gratitude is all around us but sometimes finding the ways to bring it into our life can be a bit tricky.

Practising gratitude and exploring ways in which we choose to be grateful is an essential part of expanding our personal sense of wellbeing. At Burn Bright, we’ve compiled our experience of exploring wellbeing with over 75,000 young people into a digital course you can access right now. Covering topics like values, relationships, self esteem and wellbeing – these courses are an all-in-one interactive experience for your young person to explore wellbeing in their life.

If you’d like to learn more about this course, click here to read more.