...in our Neighborhoods, in our Families, in our Hearts.
Together, we can discover the New Earth.
Together, we can discover the New Earth.
Wonderment's Way is a platform for bringing families, communities and organizations into an awareness of the personal and very human stories that are shared by Highly Aware young people and those who love them. To get a glimpse into Who Are Highly Aware, see the traits page. Our dreaming is that, across the globe, circles of collaboration are forming to support Highly Aware young people and that these networks enhance the vision and mission of Wonderment's Way. We are not meant to do it alone. The time has come to synergize our efforts and celebrate each piece of this beautiful puzzle.
Wonderment's Way
A Collective that is evolving and in-forming as it encounters participants.
Circles of Highly Aware young people are assembling and conversations are igniting.
MISSION
To inspire engagement between Highly Aware young people and their Communities.
VISION
* Support families and Highly Aware young people directly through mentorship and counseling
* Implement Con-tributaries that sponsor Highly Aware young people
* Host public symposiums and panels conducted by Highly Aware young people
* Create peer networks and forums by and for Highly Aware young people
A Collective that is evolving and in-forming as it encounters participants.
Circles of Highly Aware young people are assembling and conversations are igniting.
MISSION
To inspire engagement between Highly Aware young people and their Communities.
VISION
* Support families and Highly Aware young people directly through mentorship and counseling
* Implement Con-tributaries that sponsor Highly Aware young people
* Host public symposiums and panels conducted by Highly Aware young people
* Create peer networks and forums by and for Highly Aware young people
NURTURING THE HIGHLY AWARE
NURTURING THE HIGHLY AWARE
The term Highly Aware reflects a unique spectrum of experiences and perspectives that Aila has witnessed among the young she encounters.
A List of Traits has been compiled to assist with identifying whether Aila's particular support may be beneficial.
A List of Traits has been compiled to assist with identifying whether Aila's particular support may be beneficial.
Many Highly Aware young people have chosen to be born in circumstances that are not necessarily in step with the status-quo. They and their families are often strongly challenged to confront cultures and systems that do not embrace or support their differences. Both the child and those who live and work with them can tend to feel isolated. These young people need and want to share their abilities but typically are not valued or trusted which leads to frustration, depression, and reclusiveness. Acknowledgement goes a long way to unlocking the possibilities for them to thrive. We as a culture, must find pathways for new exchanges.
A word about LABELS....
In my work over the years with my own daughter and the many children that have found me, I have witnessed how uncomfortable and limiting labels can be. They can cause a sense of isolation from the norm and can perpetuate expectations of a certain level of performance. All humans want to have the freedom to change and grow in the time and ways that are unique to them without being told Who they are meant to be.
The New Age movement has contributed to the public, as well as parents, projecting their labels such as Indigo, Star Seed, or Psychic
onto Highly Aware children. There is also a resurging popularity for other types of profiling systems such as Human Design, Enegram, Astrology, Personality Essence, Steiner Temperaments, and Vedic Constitutions, just to name a few.
The New Age movement has contributed to the public, as well as parents, projecting their labels such as Indigo, Star Seed, or Psychic
onto Highly Aware children. There is also a resurging popularity for other types of profiling systems such as Human Design, Enegram, Astrology, Personality Essence, Steiner Temperaments, and Vedic Constitutions, just to name a few.
It is important that we do not share with our children any "messages" or insights we have about them.
We need to keep this to ourselves and allow the children to unfold naturally!
We must take care that we don't saddle our young people with too many projections and expectations that can interfere
with their potential to introduce us to something NEW.
with their potential to introduce us to something NEW.
Institutional Settings, such as medical and school, use labels to categorize for ease of treatment and funding. Labels such as ADD , Asperger's, Autistic, Dyslexic , Twice Exceptional or Gifted, may be helpful in receiving benefits that address a particular set of needs. Putting these labels in a context of continuums is a step in the right direction. Many of the labels we use now for children who do not fit into previous ways of experiencing childhood and learning are being articulated as Spectrums. This assists us in realizing that these many characteristics are dynamic and move up and down that spectrum. It also broadens our innerstanding that we all may have a place on these Spectrums. Rather than feeling broken, we can perceive the Self as a unique profile that others may also share.
Any positive influences of labeling are highly dependent on if they allow for self empowerment and growth and do not stigmatize.
We use labels to define our differences from the Collective. Individuation from our parents, families, and tribal units must take place as we grow through our Human developmental stages. These stages reflect the larger natural cycles of individuation such as a tree into its branches and leaves or Light into the rainbow. At the turning points of these cycles, our unique expressions are heightened and then begin to overlap and fade back into their original state of Oneness.
Any positive influences of labeling are highly dependent on if they allow for self empowerment and growth and do not stigmatize.
We use labels to define our differences from the Collective. Individuation from our parents, families, and tribal units must take place as we grow through our Human developmental stages. These stages reflect the larger natural cycles of individuation such as a tree into its branches and leaves or Light into the rainbow. At the turning points of these cycles, our unique expressions are heightened and then begin to overlap and fade back into their original state of Oneness.
Labels serve to bring light to aspects of ourselves that have been living in the shadows. They can help communities, organizations and societies name and identify underlying patterns that were previously expressing without consciousness. It is THROUGH the awareness and acceptance of all our permutations, both "negative" and "positive", that these discrete fractals of The Whole begin to blend into a beautiful Divine Tapestry.
PRIVACY & BOUNDARIES
It can not be emphasized enough how important the practices of privacy and boundaries are for the Highly Aware. We often observe that Highly Aware youth are either very reticent to engage with others or they are so open and curious that they are vulnerable to any energies emitted around them . This is especially true the younger they are. Many times, openness to their surroundings can cause tiredness, irritability and a reaction to isolate or shut down.
Whether they are more reticent or open, it is important to demonstrate to them how to manage their space, things, body and psyche. The first way that they learn is by witnessing us and sensing how we handle our own space, emotions, and interactions with others. Many adults think they are being child friendly by creating environments that have no private space designated for individuals . When any space or time is left wide open for anyone to access, this translates to a child that privacy is not important. If we don't learn about the necessity of being sovereign over our own body, things, time and place, we are available to physical, emotional and psychic manipulation.
We must respect and protect their basic right to choose whom they share with. This means we must pay close attention to their cues and body language starting at infancy. Subtle and obvious expressions will tell us if they are uncomfortable. NEVER make a child hug, kiss or be physically close to someone whom they have not clearly shown a relaxed or eager response to. Highly Aware youth often exude unconditional love or some special energy. Many unaware adults find themselves drawn to them and can't help but move right into the child's personal space or even force physical contact.
Whether they are more reticent or open, it is important to demonstrate to them how to manage their space, things, body and psyche. The first way that they learn is by witnessing us and sensing how we handle our own space, emotions, and interactions with others. Many adults think they are being child friendly by creating environments that have no private space designated for individuals . When any space or time is left wide open for anyone to access, this translates to a child that privacy is not important. If we don't learn about the necessity of being sovereign over our own body, things, time and place, we are available to physical, emotional and psychic manipulation.
We must respect and protect their basic right to choose whom they share with. This means we must pay close attention to their cues and body language starting at infancy. Subtle and obvious expressions will tell us if they are uncomfortable. NEVER make a child hug, kiss or be physically close to someone whom they have not clearly shown a relaxed or eager response to. Highly Aware youth often exude unconditional love or some special energy. Many unaware adults find themselves drawn to them and can't help but move right into the child's personal space or even force physical contact.
The best rule of thumb is to allow the child to be the one who approaches,
no matter if it is with a close friend or relative or someone you deem important.
no matter if it is with a close friend or relative or someone you deem important.
Parents of Highly Aware can also be quite intuitive and empathic. This means they have to be extra cognizant if and when they may be intruding on a child's private thoughts, feelings and activities. There's a difference between privacy and secrecy. Secrecy is usually when we withhold something because we are afraid of exposure. It is based in fear. Privacy is recognizing that holding space where only we can go , honors our need for self development and reflection without outside interference.
In addition, when we feel excited or concerned about something we have witnessed from a child, we often want to share with others to get support or recognition. It is valuable not to assume that this is ok just because we are the adult and they are the child. Young people usually cannot assess or express what their true feelings are around others knowing about them, even if it seems like a good thing to you. These young people often want to keep their worlds private with only people they trust. They can have a keen sense that not everyone is meant to know or share in who they are. Always ask yourself if sharing the information is something that will benefit their growth or protection.
Try not to share in front of them and if you do, make sure you have neutral tones even if you feel heightened emotion. The more neutral you are, the better chance the child has to develop without too much external projection onto him.
The "New Age" has often exploited Highly Aware youth to satisfy their need to promote their view of the world or to break down the closet doors so these youth can be free. This is not ours to do.
In addition, when we feel excited or concerned about something we have witnessed from a child, we often want to share with others to get support or recognition. It is valuable not to assume that this is ok just because we are the adult and they are the child. Young people usually cannot assess or express what their true feelings are around others knowing about them, even if it seems like a good thing to you. These young people often want to keep their worlds private with only people they trust. They can have a keen sense that not everyone is meant to know or share in who they are. Always ask yourself if sharing the information is something that will benefit their growth or protection.
Try not to share in front of them and if you do, make sure you have neutral tones even if you feel heightened emotion. The more neutral you are, the better chance the child has to develop without too much external projection onto him.
The "New Age" has often exploited Highly Aware youth to satisfy their need to promote their view of the world or to break down the closet doors so these youth can be free. This is not ours to do.
The young will guide us as long as we make sure that our own agendas are set aside.