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70: How to Be as Brave as a Lion

Do you ever feel afraid? We all do! Do you wish you could be as brave as a lion? Today we’ll learn how! This episode features affirmations from Noah and Mia, and a new song called “When I Feel Afraid.”

Show Notes

Like You is listener supported. Learn how you can support the show by becoming a patron on Patreon. You can also support the show by shopping in our online store or purchasing songs from the show on our Bandcamp page.

Please send us a voice memo, drawing, or letter at hello@likeyoupodcast.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 a production of Perpetual Motion. The show 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 IMAKEMADEBEATS.

This episode’s affirmations were read by Noah Glenn and  Mia Saine

Find Like You online at likeyoupodcast.com.

This podcast is designed for kids, but our social media feeds are geared toward their parents. So grown-ups, give us a follow:

Transcript

Noah: Hello! I’m Noah and this is Like You, a mindfulness podcast for kids. I’m glad you’re here! Today we’ll be learning how to be as brave as a lion. First, a 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 for early access to every episode, and other special perks. We also appreciate it when you spread the word about our podcast by telling friends or leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Alright, listeners of all ages, find a place to listen where you feel comfortable and safe. You’re an important part of this podcast, so I invite you to answer questions aloud and participate in our activities. Of course, if you’d rather just think your answers quietly in your head, that’s ok too.

So, today you’ll be learning to be a lion. Lions are known as big powerful, brave animals, often called the king of the jungle. So let’s learn how we can be as brave as a lion. Are you ready? We usually start an episode with breathing, but today we’ll save that for a little later. Instead we’ll start with some lion stretches. If you’re able to, find somewhere you have space to move and stretch. Now stand up, and picture yourself as a mighty lion – a long flowing mane, big strong paws, a mouth full of powerful shiny teeth, and a little tail with a tuft of hair at the end.

Let’s show everyone how powerful you are. Hold those big paws up above your head, bare your claws, show your teeth, and stretch your arms high in the air. Stretch and hold it 1-2-3.

Now keep your feet planted on the floor, but bring your arms down, bend forward, and place your hands on the ground in front of you so you’re standing on your hands and your feet, like a lion on all fours. Put your head down, arch your back in the air, and wiggle your tail back and forth. While you keep shaking your tail, let out a quiet little grrrr.

Next, bring your knees down to the floor so that you’re now on your hands and knees. Bend your head back, looking as high up as you can. Hold that for 1-2-3. Now move your head down, so that you’re looking at your own knees 1-2-3. Now look up again as high as you can raise your head. 1-2-3. And one last time, look down at your knees and hold that for 1-2-3. Great job.

Now stand up. Imagine your long flowing lion’s mane. Now shake your mane all around!

Wonderful job. On the count of three we’ll all say I like me. 1-2-3. I like me.

I like you too. You are strong, confident, powerful, and brave.

Now I want to ask you a question. Do you ever feel afraid? Think for a moment. What is something that has made you feel afraid?

All of us – kids and grownups – feel scared sometimes. It might be because you’ve had a bad dream, or because you don’t like being alone in the dark. Maybe there is a person or animal that you’re scared to be around. Maybe you feel afraid when you meet new people or try a new activity. Maybe sometimes you even feel afraid and you don’t know why.

Here’s another question. Do you ever feel brave? Think for a moment. What makes you feel brave?

I want to tell you something about being brave. Being brave does not mean that you’re never afraid. No. Being brave means feeling afraid, but standing up tall and facing your fear anyway.

There are a few things that you can practice to help yourself feel brave. You can practice believing in yourself – believing in your own strength, in your own power, in your own abilities. You can practice feeling confident, by learning to love yourself just as you are and to be proud of who you are. Being confident and believing in yourself can help you feel brave enough to stand up to your fear.

Let’s get back to learning how to be as brave as a lion by practicing some confidence.

A lion has a big beautiful flowing lion’s mane. Some say a lion’s mane is its crown. And you have your special crown – your hair. Think about your own hair. You could even look in a mirror if you have one nearby. What does your hair look like? Long? Short? Dark? Light? Curly? Kinky? Straight? Or maybe you have very little hair or no hair at all. Whatever kind of hair is happening on top of your head – it is the perfect hair for you. Reach up and touch your hair. Say “I love my hair.” Say “I’m proud of my hair.” Say “My hair is my lion’s mane.” Say “My hair is my crown.”

A lion is big, strong, and powerful. And so are you. I want you to puff out your chest, full of pride. Now flex your muscles and say “I am strong.” Say “I am powerful.” Say “I am brave.”

Are you beginning to feel brave like a lion? Let’s try one last thing. When a lion wants to show other animals not to mess with them, they will growl or even roar. So now we’re ready for today’s breathing exercise, which will be deep breaths followed by growls, and then roars. I want you to take a long deep breath, filling your chest up with air. Now show your powerful lion teeth, and let out your breath with a long rumbling growl. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr. We’l try that one more time I want you to see how long of a grrr you can make, and the whole time I want you to think about how powerful you are. Take a long deep breath in, filling your chest with air. Now grit your teeth and let me hear a long growl. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Wonderful. We’ll do one last deep breath, and then this time on the count of 3 I want to hear your most powerful lion’s roar. 1-2-3 Roar!

And I think now is the perfect time for today’s affirmations. Affirmations are words you can say about yourself to remember how wonderful you are. Today my friend Mia and I will take turns sharing affirmations.

Mia: It’s me Mia. Will You repeat these affirmations?

I believe in myself.

Noah: I am proud to be me.

Mia: I am strong on the inside.

Noah: When I feel afraid, I’ll choose to be brave.

Mia: I have courage and confidence.

Noah: I embrace the greatness within me.

Mia: With every breath I feel stronger.

Noah: Thank you Mia. Now let’s smile and take a few slow, deep breaths as we wind down our time together. Spend the next few minutes taking deep breaths and thinking about how strong and brave you are, while we listen to this song.

Being brave

Doesn’t mean you’re never scared

Being brave

Doesn’t mean your fears aren’t there

When I feel afraid

I know that’s ok

When I feel afraid

That’s my chance to practice being brave

Being strong

Doesn’t mean you can do it all

Being strong

Doesn’t mean you never fall

When I feel afraid

I know that’s ok

When I feel afraid

That’s my chance to practice being brave

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

Like You is a production of Perpetual Motion. It is written and hosted by me, Noah Glenn. I also composed and performed the Like You theme music and other music that appeared in the episode. Our podcast cover art was illustrated by Mia Saine, and our episode art is created by Lindsey Glenn. Our podcast is listener supported, and you can be a part of supporting us by joining our Patreon group at Patreon.com/likeyoupodcast. Other ways to support the show are by telling your friends, writing a review on Apple Podcasts, or checking out our online shop at likeyoupodcast.com. Our website also features show notes for every episode. We love hearing from listeners. You can send us voice memos, drawings and pictures by having a grownup send an email to hello@likeyoupodcast.com. Be sure to follow us on instagram, Facebook, and twitter @likeyoupod. Thanks for listening!