Weather Inside Me
Name a feeling and notice that different feelings can happen together.
Watch lesson 7
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Let’s begin
Last time we wished others well. Today we will also care for what is happening inside us.
If feelings were weather, what kind of weather might Xiaohe have today?
Story time
Xiaohe had waited all week for a picnic, but rain meant they had to cancel. She left her backpack by the door. 'Today is awful!' Dad did not tell her to cheer up. 'Are you disappointed, or a little angry too?' he asked. 'Both,' she said.
They drew a gray cloud on paper. Then her little brother brought a funny picture book. Xiaohe smiled, but she still missed the picnic. 'How can I smile and still feel sad?' Dad said, 'Two feelings can be here together, like rain and sunshine.'
Xiaohe drew a small sun beside her cloud. The picnic was still cancelled, and her disappointment had not vanished. She decided to have some water and talk about another outing. She did not need to erase the cloud before she could care for herself.
Think together
Noticing feelings is a small way to learn about the mind. Feelings do not label us good or bad children. We can still choose what to do next.
- Did a smile mean Xiaohe was no longer disappointed?
- What helped her talk to Dad?
Try an activity
Draw a weather map for a story character. Use sunshine, clouds, rain or your own symbols. Add one small action that could help the character.
Take it home
If you want, describe a feeling with weather or a color. Family members listen before offering advice.
For adults: read-aloud script and guidance
Say: 'We can talk about Xiaohe instead of your own experiences.' Do not reward sunny feelings or mark rainy ones as bad. If a child remains distressed, respond to their practical needs; do not demand that an exercise remove the feeling.
Nine-slide lesson outline
1. Weather Inside Me
Learn together, one small step.
Name a feeling and notice that different feelings can happen together.
Last time we wished others well. Today we will also care for what is happening inside us.
2. Look closely
If feelings were weather, what kind of weather might Xiaohe have today?
Last time we wished others well. Today we will also care for what is happening inside us.
If feelings were weather, what kind of weather might Xiaohe have today?
3. Story 1 / 3
Xiaohe had waited all week for a picnic, but rain meant they had to cancel. She left her backpack by the door. 'Today is awful!' Dad did not tell her to cheer up. 'Are you disappointed, or a little angry too?' he asked. 'Both,' she said.
Xiaohe had waited all week for a picnic, but rain meant they had to cancel. She left her backpack by the door. 'Today is awful!' Dad did not tell her to cheer up. 'Are you disappointed, or a little angry too?' he asked. 'Both,' she said.
4. Story 2 / 3
They drew a gray cloud on paper. Then her little brother brought a funny picture book. Xiaohe smiled, but she still missed the picnic. 'How can I smile and still feel sad?' Dad said, 'Two feelings can be here together, like rain and sunshine.'
They drew a gray cloud on paper. Then her little brother brought a funny picture book. Xiaohe smiled, but she still missed the picnic. 'How can I smile and still feel sad?' Dad said, 'Two feelings can be here together, like rain and sunshine.'
5. Story 3 / 3
Xiaohe drew a small sun beside her cloud. The picnic was still cancelled, and her disappointment had not vanished. She decided to have some water and talk about another outing. She did not need to erase the cloud before she could care for herself.
Xiaohe drew a small sun beside her cloud. The picnic was still cancelled, and her disappointment had not vanished. She decided to have some water and talk about another outing. She did not need to erase the cloud before she could care for herself.
6. A Buddhist idea
Notice the feeling.
Choose one caring action.
Noticing feelings is a small way to learn about the mind. Feelings do not label us good or bad children. We can still choose what to do next.
7. Talk together
Did a smile mean Xiaohe was no longer disappointed?
What helped her talk to Dad?
Listen to different answers. Ask why. Children may discuss the characters rather than private experiences.
8. Try an activity
Draw a character's weather map.
Draw a weather map for a story character. Use sunshine, clouds, rain or your own symbols. Add one small action that could help the character.
If you want, describe a feeling with weather or a color. Family members listen before offering advice.
9. For grown-ups
Read aloud, discuss and try a small activity.
Stories and exercises: BlessFu
Illustrations: AI-assisted
Full references and guidance are in the companion booklet.
Say: 'We can talk about Xiaohe instead of your own experiences.' Do not reward sunny feelings or mark rainy ones as bad. If a child remains distressed, respond to their practical needs; do not demand that an exercise remove the feeling.
Next we will explore the feeling of wanting something.
Story and references
Theme reference: Matt Lindén, SEE Learning: Understanding Our Emotions, Study Buddhism, discussing Emory University's SEE Learning framework. Used for the broad themes of emotional awareness and self-compassion, not as a Buddhist scripture. Story, dialogue and activities are original BlessFu work, not a translation or an endorsed course.
https://studybuddhism.com/en/essentials/universal-values/see-learning-understanding-our-emotions
Next we will explore the feeling of wanting something.