Self-Compassion, a kinder way of relating to oneself.
ART ACTIVITY
Paper Kinsugi Bowls

This session is complex due to the number of videos and a Power Point. We got there with enough time to set up, with everything pre-loaded on my computer only to find out it was an old projector and not compatible with my set up. So fortunately Jo was there and we used her computer and fiddled with the screen with poor resolution. Not a great way to start but we still did finish when they got there. Everyone was very helpful.
The bowl activity was a hit and a lot of quiet focus on drawing the lines of the bowls. Su asked that they be quiet. Also, Ta was not there.
A Person Just Like Me – Meditation
Went very well, was quiet without Ta. Su said my voice was amazing and soothing. Then Ta came into the room and the dynamic changed dramatically.
Now I experienced first hand the difference. Went we checked in on the meditation, Ja was quiet and mad. Ra and Ma contributed somethings. I was seeing things from a different lens.
Still the meditation were not successfully transferred to the girls cottage. This is a big issue but a bit beyond my control.
Self-Esteem Power Point of Images
I prepared a PP with more diverse pictures, mixing beauty and sports. The first page of the PP had the suggestion to notice sensations arising from this video. Lots of discussion during, but they were all engaged. Ja was trying to figure out the message. Then I put them immediately into groups of two. Since Ta was there, everyone was kind of spread out. I let Ja stew, Ma and Au worked on it and Ta & Ra. Ci and Av together. Then together as a group was difficult as we were not in a circle, Su was at the end, sharing was tough. With so much media, I had decided that engaging in the video was the focus and not so much the sharing.


Small groups reported back. Difficult because of room set up. We went right into Mark Leary video.
The Cost of Social Comparison
Reviewed key talking points about a sense of separation and measuring up with self-esteem. Played the Mark Leary video followed up with the Dove video. Since everything was set up for video it made sense. the Dove video was compelling and raised a lot of curiosity. Just to ease the tension I followed that with the TRY video which they all requested to hear a second time. We then broke into small groups and then larger groups. Some sharing. I was a little frustrated but later reflected that this comes in small increments. They will get it and these images will be a good memory for later on. Spoke at length with Ja and she said, again, that she did not have issues like this. Sometimes in sports when she did not perform, she would be mad at herself. I asked her what that was like. She did not share much about that.
The Cracked Pot Story
Su read the story and we were in an awkward horseshoe configuration. As per coaching advise, it was very disruptive at my end. I asked at the end if it was for anyone else. Some raised their hands and said they could not hear very well. Su then asked them to let her know that. I asked about how they felt when they were distracted and they shared and then asked Ta and she was VERY uncomfortable answering that. I moved on quickly.
Finishing the ART Project
We skipped the Crossing the Line. The girls are fidgety and tired. They love art projects and went into the other room quietly. They even stayed 15 minutes later as the two girls in CD were picked up there instead of the cottage.
Whew. Managing ADD girls in prison, videos, a big agenda and inquiry is a big deal. Shared with one of the staff and we agreed that this definitely is a calling.
The Agenda

Su and Sh Immediate Debrief
In general, girls were open. The feeling before Ta came back was amazingly quiet and attentive and after was very, very difficult. The ART activity was quiet. We had a lot less control as we were not in a circle. We were disconnected because of chair placement and horseshoe arrangement and video with screen interfering. Su thought it best not to do inquiry with Ta as she appeared to look mad. She has concerns about the meditation, “A Moment For Me,” and the phrase, “it is not my fault,” for this group. Su thought the meditation, “A Person Just Like Me,” was amazing. I loved her rendition of what it feels like to compare herself to others. Using the example of how i felt about her style, was a perfect way to model something in the present.
To do:
- Find a way to provide meditations.
- Check on video for session V.
- Teens of of this demographic imprison may not relate to issues of not being enough. Isn’t that a suburban girl issue? While they may find themselves feeling inadequate in situations, I don’t think it would be about image as much about poverty, being loved, worldly knowledge, and skin color. Must discuss with Lo.
- Ask Lo about “A Moment For Me,” meditation and the use of, “it’s not your fault.”