When I was younger, Nancy would often take me to visit preschools for several reasons. First, she saw it as an opportunity to educate young children about what a service dog can do for someone with a disability. It also gave me an opportunity to learn how to stay calm and centered around rambunctious children. These visits were a lot of fun, but also challenging.
One preschool we visited the children were exploding with excitement about our arrival. One little boy, Henry, could barely contain his excitement. He tried to settle himself down but would then immediately jump up on his feet and dance in place. Then he would try to sit down and compose himself. In hopes of helping him regain his composure Nancy asked him if he could crawl. At first, he looked at her with a bewildered look and then he said yes. Nancy then asked him if he liked to race. Once again, he replied with an enthusiastic yes.
Then in a slow and calm voice, she asked him if he would like to have a crawling race with me. His eyes got huge, and then he asked if I could really crawl and race with him. With a smile on her face, Nancy nodded and said, yes.
Nancy laid out the rules of the race.
Henry had to stay on his knees, and I needed to keep my chest close to the floor.
There couldn’t be any pushing or pulling, just crawling. The first one to reach the finish line would be the winner. Excitement exploded. The other children were placing their bets and Henry was getting ready. Though he did double check to make sure I could really crawl, and it was okay for him to race with me.
I smiled inside because I could not only crawl, but I was fast, and I loved the competition.
We got into place and then Nancy said, “Ready, set go!”
I pushed off with my back feet keeping my belly brushing the floor and began what Nancy referred to as my military crawl. My movements were synchronized, and I felt a rush of excitement.
Henry was trying to keep up with me, but I had been practicing a lot, so I was able to move quickly. Henry turned his head and saw we were neck to neck. Then with a push to accelerate he moved slightly ahead of me. I stayed at my regular speed, because I already knew I was going to let Henry win. This was always the plan when we played this game with young children. Henry’s hand crossed the finish line just seconds before my paw. The children cheered and congratulated Henry. They also came over and hugged me and said they thought I did good as well.
So why am I telling you this story? Why do I think this is important? It was not about winning, but rather how the race brought everyone together. It was a reminder that activities that encourage us to have fun and stretch ourselves can also increase our awareness who we are, and what we can share with the world.
If you would like some help remembering how to use simple activities to connect more deeply with yourself and what you can share with the world, 
I suggest you explore the I Create What I Believe (ICWIB) program where my friend Luke will demonstrate the ICWIB activities and/or check out the Drawing in the Now classes that are taught by Nancy Marie over Zoom.
For more information about the Drawing in the Now Classes
visit: https://icreatewhatibelieve.com/drawing-in-the-now/
For more information about the ICWIB Online Training Program
visit https://icreatewhatibelieve.com/online-training/
If you would like to leave a comment for Alex regarding his Insights,
please visit our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/
or you can email Alex at Alex@icreatewhatibelieve.com
In a recent interview Dr. Bruce Lipton said, “…Freedom is the ability to create without the limitation of generational programming. The I Create What I Believe! (ICWIB!) Program is a gateway and a pathway into a new and better future because it allows children and (adults) to fully express themselves and to not be limited by the beliefs that have been passed down from generation to generation. This program also frees up children’s and (adults’) minds and allows their creative nature to create a better world for all of us, which is what we need right now!”
