What Politics Have To Do With My New Children's Book

"Ughh, really? Politics in a children's book?!"

While one may believe politics have no place in a young children's book... perhaps the lessons of a children's book would greatly benefit many of today's politicians.

I believe that empathy and compassion are not political. They are crucial to living together on this shared planet as humans alongside nature's companions. In fact, some anthropologists make the point that civilized human existence has been found not in the infrastructure or use of tools, but in the demonstration of empathy and compassion.

A healed femur bone, particularly one discovered from a 15,000-year-old archaeological site, is often cited as the earliest evidence of civilization, as proposed by anthropologist Margaret Mead. This broken femur is significant because without human intervention and care, this would have been a death sentence in the prehistoric era. The individual with a broken femur wouldn't have been able to hunt, escape predators, forage, or migrate. A healed femur demonstrates that someone cared for the injured individual, providing them with food, shelter, and protection, demonstrating a level of social care and cooperation beyond the "survival of the fittest" mentality.

It should not be political to prevent children from starvation, regardless of ethnic or geographical background. It should not be political that women and children should not be sexually abused, and abusers should be held accountable. It should not be political that people don't deserve to be taken from their families and caged in inhumane conditions simply because of the color of their skin. It should not be political that our indigenous nations should be protected. It should not be political that our national parks and public lands should remain as such...

And yet? Somehow it is? I was pondering why this may be.

In my children's book, My Body, Mind, and Me, I gently guide the understanding that we are more than simply our body or our mind. We are the inner light that lives within all of us.

I believe too many of us were never taught about our inner light. Many were taught that we are the abilities of the mind, and our cognitive abilities define us. Others were taught that we are the capabilities or shape of the body, and our physical abilities or characteristics define us.

Unfortunately, far too many have had their own inner lights dimmed from the time they were young children. And when one is disconnected from their own inner light (also called soul or spirit), how could they be expected to see the light within others?

This is where so many politicians and people of power are lacking.

If we teach children that all beings have a light within them that is worthy of shining, they can see beyond the differences of our bodies and minds. Or perhaps, even better, see how these differences actually make the world a better place. Just as how in the natural world, our environments thrive in biodiversity.

Cooperation, empathy, and compassion for one another is how we move forward, and in some ways, return to the ancient and natural ways of being.

But to teach our children this, we as adults have to reconnect with the deep knowing of our inner light first. Not tied to culture, religion, economic or ethnic background... simply what it means to be human.

We all have the power to let our light shine, and to empower our children to recognize the light in themselves and others. For when the world around us feels especially dark, we bring that darkness to light by our own courage to shine in empathy and compassion.

Don't allow your light to get lost in the darkness. This world needs you and the special way you stand up for what is right and share your love.

Do not underestimate your impact of raising or guiding loving humans capable of empathy and respect toward others, to lead the world forward in love and unity.

This may be the most important work of all.

Healing & Peace,

Ashley Kay

P.S. If you're local to the Cedar Valley, join us this Saturday August 2nd at 10:30am for a special Story Time & Author Signing at the Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens. Event is free with garden admission, and you're welcome to stay and play in the children's gardens or bring a picnic lunch for afterward. If not, you can preview my book and order your own copy here. Feel free to send an extra copy to the office of a politician you feel would benefit from it's message while you're at it! Thank you for your support.