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Please send us a voice memo, drawing, or letter at likeyoupod@gmail.com. We play a voice memo from a listener at the beginning of most episodes. If your child wants to be included, record a voice memo on your phone and email it to us. Your child can introduce themself and then say a favorite affirmation, sing a line from a Like You song, say what they like about the show, or share whatever they feel! Keep it short (10-20 seconds), send it to our email, and then wait patiently. It is our goal to share every recording eventually!

Like You is written and produced by Noah Glenn. The show’s artwork was illustrated by Mia Saine. Episode art is created by Lindsey Glenn.

This episode features original music by Noah Glenn, as well as additional music by Skygaze.

This episode’s affirmations were read by Eso Tolson.

Find Like You online at likeyoupodcast.com.

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Evalena: My name is Evalena. I’m 3 years old and I live in Massachusetts. I like the podcast because I like blowing up balloons.

Noah: Hello! I’m Noah and this is Like You, a mindfulness podcast for kids. Thank you to Evalena for sending in that message! If any other listeners would like to be featured at the beginning of an episode, have a grownup record a voice memo of you saying your favorite affirmation or singing a song from Like You. You can send voice memos to likeyoupod@gmail.com or find more info in our show notes. Today we’ll imagine writing a special message to send to someone we love.  But first, a quick word for the grownups. Like You is listener supported, so if you’d like to help us continue making new episodes, join us at patreon.com/likeyoupodcast. There you can get early access to episodes, and other special perks. We also appreciate it when you help others find our show by telling your friends, or writing a review on Apple podcasts.

Now, we’re ready to start the podcast, so find a place to listen where you feel comfortable and safe. You can use your imagination, share your thoughts, and speak up when I ask any questions. Of course, if you’d rather just think things quietly in your head, that’s ok too. 
Let’s start by breathing together. Try to clear your mind, sit still, and relax your shoulders. Now take a deep breath in 1, 2, 3. And a long breath out, 1, 2, 3. Once more. Deep breath in 1, 2, 3. And breathe out 1, 2, 3. Last time. Deep breath in 1, 2, 3. And out. 1, 2, 3. Now on the count of three, we’ll all say “I like me.” Ready? 1, 2, 3 “I like me!”

I like you too! You are brave, strong, loving, and kind. And all your friends are happy to know you. That includes me!

Today, we’ll be sending out a message in a bottle that can be read by someone we love. Where I live, the weather is getting colder, so I think it might be fun to imagine that we’re some place warm. Imagine you are relaxing on a small tropical island. You’re sitting in the warm sand under a tall palm tree listening to the waves crash against the beach. [oceanside sounds]. This feels nice, don’t you think? I think it would also feel nice to share some good feelings with someone else. Let’s imagine our island is in an enormous ocean. And there are other small islands scattered all throughout the ocean. And on each island is another person. If you want to communicate with someone on another island, you can write down a message on a piece of paper, roll it up, stick in inside a bottle, and then toss the bottle in sea. It will float all the way across the water until it lands on someone else’s island, and they can open your message to read it. So let’s imagine sending a couple of messages in bottles right now.

First I want you to think about someone who lives with you. Perhaps a parent, a step-parent, a brother or sister, or a grandparent. Think of one person in your home, and imagine them sitting on another island in another part of the sea. You can really close your eyes and picture them. Think about what they look like. The color of their hair and their eyes and their skin, the clothes they like to wear, what they look like when they smile. Can you see them in your mind? Let’s send them a message. Now, you can just imagine writing them a message, or if you want you can write a message for real. If you want to write a real message, you can pause the podcast while you find paper and a pencil or crayon to write with. Once you’re back we’ll think about what we want the message to say.

As you picture this person, think about what you would like to tell them. Maybe something that would make them smile. You can tell them anything you’d like. You could write “I love you,” or “thank you for helping me,” or “you make me happy.” Those are just a few ideas, but you can come up with your own. Take a moment to think about a message. Then you can write it down, or imagine writing it down.

Now imagine rolling up your message and placing it in a bottle. If you wrote a real message, hold onto it and I’ll give you a few ideas about what to do with it later.

So we’ve placed the message in a bottle. Now imagine tossing it into the sea, and watching it float slowly away. It grows smaller and smaller as it bobs up and down in the waves. Now imagine the bottle washing up on the beach on the island where that person is relaxing. Picture them as they grab the bottle, unroll your message and read it. And your message brings a smile to their face. You did that. Your words brought joy to another person. How amazing is that? Your words are so powerful!

Let’s send another message in a bottle. This time I want you to think about one of your friends. Someone close to your age. Maybe someone you haven’t seen in person in a while. Maybe someone you miss having playdates with. It can be any friend you want to imagine. Close your eyes and imagine them relaxing on their own island. Picture their eyes, their smile, their hair, their clothes. What would you like to say to them? “I’m glad you are my friend,” “I have fun when we’re together,” “I can’t wait to play with you again.” Take a moment to decide what you’d like to say, and imagine writing a message. Once again, you can also write a real message if you have some paper and something to write with. What will you write to your friend?

Once you’ve thought of a message, imagine rolling it up and placing it inside another bottle. Toss the bottle out to sea and watch it float away until it’s out of sight.

Then imagine it floating up to your friend’s island and landing on the beach. Now picture your friend walking over to pick up the bottle. Your friend unrolls your message, reads it, and smiles. Once again, remember that your words are powerful enough to make someone smile.

Now as you sit, relaxing on your island, you suddenly see something floating in the distance. It’s moving closer and closer. As it gets close to your island, you realize it’s a bottle. And not just any bottle. There’s a message inside! It floats all the way to your island and lands in the sand. Someone has sent YOU a message! Imagine picking up the bottle, unrolling the piece of paper inside and reading the message. The message says: I like you exactly the way you are. I like you exactly the way you are.

Smile and take a deep breath.

For those of you who really wrote down a real message or two during the podcast, here’s what you can do with those. If you wrote a message for someone who lives with you, roll it up and hide it somewhere that person will find it later. Maybe you could put it on their pillow in their bed, or in the chair where they sit at dinner, or slip it into a book they’re reading, like a bookmark. I know they’ll find it later, and it will bring them a moment of joy.

If you wrote a real message for a friend, ask a grownup to help you mail it to them. A grownup can help you find an envelope, and a stamp, and write down your friend’s address. Then you can mail them that letter, and I’m sure it will brighten their day.

Now it’s time to say affirmations. Please welcome our friend Eso.

Eso: Yo! Eso here. Will you repeat this affirmations with me?

I woke up today ready to love.

I can do big things.

There is no one better to be than myself.

I am full of joy.

I have people who love and respect me.

My positive thoughts create positive feelings.

Noah: Thank you Eso. We’ll remember these affirmations next time we need a little boost. Now let’s smile, and take a few slow, deep breaths as we wind down our time together.

I can’t wait to spend some time together again soon! Until next time, I like you, I’m proud of you, and I’m glad we are friends. Have a happy and peaceful day.

Like You is written and produced by me, Noah Glenn. I also composed and performed the Like You theme music and the original song “I’m Glad That I am Me.” Additional music for this episode came from Skygaze. The podcast cover art was illustrated by Mia Saine, and our episode art is created by Lindsey Glenn. Today’s affirmations came from Eso Tolson. To all the grown-ups listening, please consider supporting this podcast by visiting patreon.com/likeyoupodcast. When you join our Patreon group you get early access to every episode along with other special perks. If you’re unable to offer financial support, you can still show us some love by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, and by telling your friends about the show. You can find show notes on our website, likeyoupodcast.com. You can also send us voice memos, drawings and pictures by emailing likeyoupod@gmail.com. Be sure to follow us on instagram, Facebook, and twitter @likeyoupod. Thanks for listening!