Skip to the content
All 52 cards
Ritualising Reflection 5 minutes · closer

The river of this term

Card 39 of 52

Put it on the board and read it out. Nothing to prepare.

A river winding through hills and trees

Illustration by RecipesforWellbeing.org, CC BY-NC 4.0

Open this drawing in the library

In the last five minutes of the term, picture the past thirteen weeks as a river you have travelled.

Notice where the river ran fast, where it slowed, and whether there was an obstacle you passed or are still finding your way around.

Choose one part of the journey you want to remember. It can hold difficulty, pride or more than one feeling at once.

If you would like to, describe your river in one word on the way out, and let the reflection end as the break begins.

That’s the practice.

Listen for Receive the one-word descriptions without asking for explanations or treating them as a measure of the term.

The skill of reflection. Intentionally examining your thoughts, emotions, and experiences to gain self-awareness, insight, and wisdom.

What practices or experiences have helped you gain the most self-awareness and insight, both on your own and with others?

Try the interactive practice on this skill

The skill of reflection

Intentionally examining your thoughts, emotions, and experiences to gain self-awareness, insight, and wisdom.

Hear this skill read aloud
Read the whole postTry the interactive practiceReflect on this skill for yourself

Adapting it

Ages 13 to 15
Students can trace the river's shape in the air with one finger as they picture its bends, fast water and pools.
Ages 16 to 18
Offer the private question "What might you carry differently into the next stretch?" without asking for an answer aloud.

If you have longer

There is a full lesson on this skill, about 40 minutes.

Looking back with care
Tell us how this card went

Your email opens with this card named in the subject, and nothing is sent until you send it. A person reads these.

Or write to info@recipesforwellbeing.org

    Arrow keys move between steps. F is full screen.