“All men are born firstly with the instinct to protect themselves. But few grow to really love themselves, and even fewer learn to love their neighbour as themselves.” – Criss Jami

The world demands so much from us, and it’s easy to forget this one crucial thing: before we can genuinely connect with and help others, we must FIRST cultivate empathy within ourselves. This is the heart of our workshops, promoting well-being through play because ‘You have to be well to teach well’.

This isn’t just a message for educators. It’s a universal truth that applies to every one of us. To teach well, to support well, and to love well, we must first learn to be well ourselves. And being well starts with being kind to ourselves.

We are so good at setting high standards and striving for fulfilment in various aspects of our lives that we have become our harshest critics, even without noticing it.

So, if you feel the weight of self-criticism, take this moment to pause and read ahead. This blog is your gentle reminder to embrace self-compassion and to treat yourself with the same care and understanding you would offer others so you can ‘Live well to teach well’. Ready? Let’s dive right in!

#312: Kimberly Braun | Awakening to Life: Rediscovering Your True Self and Finding Joy

A life coming from a place of joy and peace that can’t be disturbed is the life we aspire you to have. Embody love in life— that is Kimberly’s message to the world.

These are the key takeaways from this episode:

When we place all of life’s demands and fail, we immediately click into self-judgment. What to do is to reflect on biting off more than what we could chew or think about what would be more manageable for us in the long run.
Our truth changes and something that worked for us once may not work anymore. It’s okay to let that go.Even when we are lost, one thought could be that we could just be present, and everything lightens up. The struggles may not go away immediately, but surely, the solution would come after. That’s the power of being present.

Rediscover your true self by tuning in to this episode here on our website, on iTunes, or Spotify!

Daily Mission Card

You have probably heard the saying, “Put yourself in someone else’s shoes.” That’s the core aspect of empathy. Your ability to share the feelings of others as if it’s your own. However, practising empathy doesn’t mean you have to fix everyone’s problems at the expense of your mental well-being. Empathy is a two-way street. It involves acknowledging your needs while also being attuned to those of others!

One powerful way to apply empathy to yourself is by creating time to treat yourself with kindness, just as in this Kindness and Happiness Mission Card we have picked. Think about it. You offer comforting gestures when a friend is going through a tough time. Similarly, you should treat yourself with the same compassion. In that way, you expand your capacity to empathise with others.

If you need more ideas on practising empathy and kindness, the Kindness and Happiness Mission Cards are your friend.

Empathy Puzzle

As educators, we take the crown as some of the finest empaths out there. Juggling a multitude of responsibilities, we are demanded by our daily lives an immense emotional investment. From handling antics and emotional outbursts to understanding the ever-evolving minds of children while maintaining our composure, it’s no small feat! It’s no surprise we may sometimes overlook the opportunity to teach children the invaluable skill of empathy itself.

Empathy is a skill that can be developed, and what better way to do so than through games? Since play is the universal language of children, they are naturally drawn to it, and it provides an ideal platform to impart life lessons, such as empathy.

Empathy Puzzle is the newest well-being game in our Play Portal. You can read the full instructions HERE! With focus areas on resilience, overcoming limitations, and establishing effective communication, this game’s team play will foster understanding and empathy among the children.

You can also browse through the 900+ games available in our Play Portal. I hope you find something you can use and enjoy in your classrooms, sporting groups, and corporate events! Some of these activities were conducted in my most recent event last week in Singapore. More about it below.

FOBISIA Conference, Dulwich College, Singapore

Singapore has truly been an amazing experience! My heartfelt gratitude goes to the incredible team at FOBISIA for extending the opportunity to come and share my Keynote and Mini FunShops with outstanding educators from all corners of Asia. This absolute blast learning experience, filled with inspiration and collaboration, is what I cannot wait to share with YOU!

Meeting educators from diverse backgrounds and engaging in meaningful discussions is truly an enriching experience everyone should have. So, if your community is looking for a fun-filled workshop for students or staff, we have the right one for you. For more details, you can contact us at team@jugar.life!