Find that "Perfect" You

Creator: Brook Li

This Workshop lasts 60 minutes. Participants reflect on self-limiting beliefs and foster self-acceptance by constructing fictional stories - helping "imperfect" animals or plants to restore faith in themselves. 

 

Part I: Story Time!! - Make the Best of What Is

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Students start with a short discussion on the difference between "smart" and "wise," and share some of their favorite wise figures from movies or history, such as Yoda, Rafiki, and Einstein, including favorite quotes. Then, they will break into small groups and read a selection of short stories, each involving a wise figure teaching a student about acceptance. The stories are selected from both eastern and western culture. Some teacher figures include Chinese Taoist Zhuangzi, western Magician Merlin, and Sally Field (Forrest Gump's mom). Then students will discuss how "acceptance" helps solve a problem in each story. 

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Part II: The Land of Illusion

 

Students are put into 4 groups. Each group will construct a scene to introduce a troubled character to the class. The characters are fictional animal and plants who feel unworthy, including:

     

    1) A Rabbit who is afraid to hop because other rabbits hop higher;

    2) An Apple Tree who is embarrassed to grow apples because it is surrounded by pear trees;

     3) A Caterpillar who forgets it is a butterfly inside;

     4) A Flower who feels guilty for taking help (sunshine) from the sun because it does not think itself as worthy

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After the scenes are presented, each group will construct a follow-up scene, introducing a wise figure to help the troubled character to restore faith in themselves.

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Part III: Discussion and Reflection

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Students will discuss each scene, including each character's dilemma, how they learned to see themselves in a new light, and how each scene can be relevant to students' lives. Then they will journal their reflections, and they can volunteer to share it.