B a r b a r a s h e r I l L u s t r a t I o n s b y r a L p h

T
Y P E S O F
A
T T E N T I O N
E
N C O U R A G E D
Open and focused
M
A T E R I A L S
Paper and pen
Tape
Colored pens (optional)
D
I R E C T I O N S
Have your teen draw a large heart on a piece of paper and cut it out.
On one side of the heart, he should write down all the difficult things, big
and little, that happened that broke his heart. He could also color in the
heart or draw designs on it. Next, he should tear up the heart into small
pieces.
Next have him take the small pieces and, as though putting together a
puzzle, make the heart whole again and tape it back together. Put the tape
on the side of the heart where the words are written.
On the other side of the mended heart, your teen writes down all the
things he did to feel good again, such as being with friends, doing some
kind of artwork, listening to music, riding a horse, swimming, and so on.
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V
A R I A T I O N
Suggest that he write a story about a character who had this difficult expe-
rience and all the things he did that helped him heal.
W
H A T
’
S
B
E I N G
L
E A R N E D
Even though there is something to be said for the com-
fortableness of denial, often there is no other way of
dealing with difficulty than facing it directly. This
activity helps young people acknowledge their pain
and notice the methods they used to recover. It offers
them the comfort of knowing that they can bring them-
selves their own relief.
Suppressed painful feelings can take the form of hyperac-
tivity, which becomes a method of avoiding the feelings that will
come to the surface with stillness. Recognizing and reducing discom-
fort by realizing that they are able to handle pain enhances adolescents’
ability to concentrate even when they are going through difficult times.