"You are appreciated. Thank you for existing!"

2020 was weird and intense for many reasons, but it was also Imagine Meditation Cards’ very first year.

It all started as a conversation over a glass of wine, an out-loud thought on the best ways to spread the word about meditation and how easy and fun it can be for kids.

It took a good few months to create the cards – time spent characterizing the product, fine-tuning my meditation scripts, adding all the wonderful artwork, and nailing down graphic design and production.

Seeing this product come to life was very exciting! We had no clue where this was going to go. Nevertheless, we decided to invest ourselves in the project, and as time went by, it started to receive more and more of our attention. Soon, it became the main and favorite topic of conversation in our house. Every time we had to take a step forward, it just felt like the right thing to do.

Our first inventory of cards was just 200 units, and we couldn’t be sure if our aim was too low or too high. There was so much uncertainty around the whole thing and how it would unfold. All options were on the table.

Fast forward to today and our Imagine Meditation Cards have found their way into thousands of homes all over the United States and many countries worldwide! Hundreds of units have been donated (or sold at nearly cost) to nonprofits and hospitals, and the cards have been translated into two additional languages. Now we’re even more committed to continuously expanding Imagine Meditation.

We have a lot of plans for 2021 (Spoiler alert: our next product is on the way!!) and we are 100% on board to continue delivering high-quality meditation tools that serve as game-changers in the experience of meditation for kids.

But the best part of it all is the amazing feedback we’ve been receiving via Facebook, Amazon and email – whether from parents, therapists, teachers or (of course) kids!

We could never have had such an amazing year without the support of our customers. We are so grateful to each and every person that gave our cards a chance, and to those who took the time to express their thoughts and experiences with the cards.

The latest feedback we received came directly from an incredible super-mom who sent us an equally incredible full-length message of gratitude. Her heartwarming note tells the whole story in 2 minutes. See excerpts from it below.

Her story pretty much epitomizes why this project is so important to us, and why we find it such an outstanding and thrilling mission!

Thank you everyone for embracing, commenting on and/or sharing in Imagine Meditation. We are humbly grateful. And thank you, super-mom. Please know how much you are appreciated. Thank you for existing!

From our family to yours, we wish y’all a happy 2021!

Meirav Tamir

*****

Hello,

I just wanted to take a moment and express my sincere gratitude towards these meditation cards and it's makers.... I ordered a set for my three younger children (3, 6 and 9 yrs old) and I couldn't be more thankful that they came across my path so that I can further influence my children of the beauty and exploration of life and themselves! ...we just got around to using them a few days ago and I am almost brought to tears of happiness and gratitude after using them with my kids. To see their faces during the meditation and after is priceless, to hear about their experience and peace that they feel is so heart warming for me and to hear the excitement in their voices of them asking to do "one more!" is so beyond awesome.... I have tried guided meditations on YouTube for kids with them but these cards are too perfect! I am in love with them and so are they!..

... these cards are becoming a part of our morning's (kids request) and we end the day with them as well (also their request). ...they can't stop talking about these cards and meditation Thank you so much for creating such a soul growing influence for this world. You are appreciated, thank you for existing

*****

Photo by @nataliealmagor during our first video shoot.

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The Imagine Blog

You’ll Love This: Bedtime Routine With Guided Imagery Meditation

By Meirav Tamir • March 14, 2022

In my last blog I discussed the everyday challenge of going to sleep and how a simple bedtime routine can be a HUGE help. So now a little more into detail with these great ways to make it work! Phase One – Taking Care of the Body Try dedicating the first 10 minutes of the routine to basic actions that prepare the body for hopping into bed, such as brushing teeth, getting into pjs, and snagging a glass of water. Do your best to make sure these happen at about the same time and, if possible, in the same order. And don’t forget to include a cut-off time for electronics – at least 30 minutes before it’s time to fall asleep. Blue light has been shown to limit production of melatonin, a hormone that’s key to maintaining a healthy sleep cycle. Avoiding electronics right before bedtime will help kids fall asleep faster and wake up feeling rested. Once all of this is out of the way, you can move on to the next phase of the routine. Phase Two – Taking Care of the Heart and Mind The second phase, in my opinion, is the best part of the routine, and it actually offers a priceless opportunity for you to create a 100% nurturing experience for your kids . In fact, the content you pour into the next 10 minutes or so will have a life-long effect on them. There are a ton of different things you can do to treasure your time together. You can… Read a book Take turns saying things you’re grateful for Talk about the good things that happened that day Sing a song or say a prayer Say goodnight to family members, friends, the moon, the stars, the birds, or even the trees outside The Guided Imagery Meditation Option If you haven’t before, you could also give guided imagery meditation a try! You might be surprised how fun and calming it is to visualize a pleasant scene as if you’re part of it. There are many different types of meditation you can do depending on your preference: breathing practice, progressive relaxation, mindfulness meditation focused on the five senses, landscape visualization, self-esteem exercises… And the list goes on! Get started with one of my guided imagery meditation scripts: The Protection Bubble . Then you can branch out based on your success. (Many of my customers swear by bedtime meditation!) Keep it short so bedtime remains as consistent as possible, but don’t be in a hurry. Above all, make sure to be present. These are some of life’s most precious moments, so just relax into the bonding experience. The more you give, the more you’ll receive during these positive, soothing 10 minutes. Oh, and try not to blink… They’ll be all grown-up so fast! :)

Making a Successful Bedtime Routine

By Meirav Tamir • March 14, 2022

“My kids always go to sleep so nice and easy!” said no parent ever. Getting your kids to go to sleep every night can be quite difficult, wouldn’t you agree? When my kids were young, I used to feel like I could fall asleep a hundred times before they ever did. And by the time the house was quiet, I was running on fumes. The Challenge – Encouraging the Kids to Sleep Unfortunately, falling asleep is not something that children can do on command, and it can get frustrating for all parties involved when they struggle with bedtime. The good news is that following a regular bedtime routine can turn that difficulty into willingness and even, dare I say, anticipation. Not only does a solid routine help to bring each day to a close in a positive way, but it also contributes to better sleep at night. This will have a great impact on your children’s health and well-being, not to mention your own... Still skeptical that it’s even possible? Perhaps that’s because you’ve never given guided meditation a try. ;) But before we get into that, let’s talk a little bit about the basics of bedtime. The Road to Success – Creating a 20-minute Bedtime Routine All good bedtime routines are built on a few similar and repetitive activities that occur every night at around the same time. But making the routine predictable does not mean it has to be dull (even though that can help with the process of winding down). The magic lies in creating a familiar and foreseeable space that kids associate with going to sleep. This provides young, active kids with a sense of security that gradually allows them to let go of the day and welcome a good night. Best of all, a bedtime routine doesn’t need to be long! About 20 minutes will do for a soft landing :) In my next blog - an easy two-phase process for a successful and fun bedtime routine.

Positive Affirmations and How To Use Them

By Team Imagine • November 3, 2021

“ I am smart and capable. I am kind. I am confident. ” Could something so simple actually work? Absolutely, yes! And when it comes to managing thoughts and feelings, it doesn’t get much easier than positive affirmations. What Are Positive Affirmations Positive affirmations are simple, short sentences with motivating or reassuring content that you can repeat to yourself in order to improve your mood or mindset. An easy yet powerful stress management tool, positive affirmations can be applied to any aspect of life to increase your confidence and help you feel good. When used often enough, they can have a real and lasting effect on the way you naturally think and behave. Tips to Maximize Your Affirmations Say the words “I am” in your positive affirmations. Doing so helps to create a more favorable state of mind – one in which you feel connected to the emotions you want to promote. Focus on the present. Sticking to present-tense statements makes them feel more real and attainable. There’s no need to worry about whether the affirmation will come true because you’re telling yourself it already is. Be specific about your wording. Statements that affirm the feelings you want, such as “I am courageous,” are more impactful than statements that negate your current feelings, like “I am not scared.” Using Positive Affirmations With Kids The wonderful thing about positive affirmations is that there is no limit to their usefulness – especially when it comes to kids. Kids encounter so many different situations each day that test their skills and emotions. Here are just a few examples of times when you can try positive affirmations with your child: First thing in the morning, to start each day with a positive mindset At bedtime, to ease their transition to a restful sleep When facing a test at school or any other kind of personal challenge When feeling an overwhelming emotion, such as stress, anger, or sadness What Positive Affirmations Are Not Positive affirmations are a great tool to train the mind toward positive thinking and emotional regulation. But it is worth noting that all emotions are valid and serve a purpose. Kids should know that it is absolutely OK to feel whatever emotion they are feeling. It’s OK to be sad, angry or stressed, and it is OK to feel overwhelmed. Positive affirmations are not a tool to erase negative feelings altogether, since there are times when those emotions are healthy and necessary. This message can be especially helpful to kids, who tend to see things in black and white. That said, positive affirmations are great any time a person decides they’d like to transition to a new mindset. So next time you or your child feel the need to turn things around, give these tips a try. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple “I am OK right now.”