Today is 7-11, the 11th day of July. in America, there is a convenience store called 7-11 and on 7-11 they offer free slurpees, which are frozen shaved ice slushed flavored with syrup. They make people smile!

Related to 7-11, but in a totally different context, I have a funny story to share. One day I was yelling about something at the dinner table, and Charlie started yelling back at me – “Mom, relax. 7-11”. And I yelled back at him to do whatever I was asking him to do, and he kept saying “7-11, 7-11. Mom, you’re being craZy!” And the more he said this, the crazier I got.

Later when I calmed down, I asked him why he kept saying 7-11 to me. He said that I needed to be more mindful and aware of my breathing when I started to feel frustrated. He said I had to breathe in for 7 seconds and then blow out for 11 seconds to calm my body down. He learned this in school. He’s so smart! Who says you can’t learn from kids? He was right and it works, after you let go of the idea that your kid is frustrating you and teaching you something meaningful at the same time!

Go practice breathing in and out the next time you feel frustrated and let me know how that works for you.

7-11

Namaste.