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The role of parent is filled with the need to ask for and teach self-control and good manners as our children grow and learn. Hero Dragon is a tool that helps family members ask more of each other in a loving, compassionate and helpful way. By providing imagery that both opens up and lightens conversation, Hero Dragon leads to productive teamwork and positive change. Children and adults alike can relate to the words "hero" and "dragon" to identify our contradicting experiences of life. Everyone acts as a hero at times and a dragon others. A look at the hero side helps us recognize and nourish the seeds of our best possible selves. Similarly, when we honestly confront our dragons and their distasteful behaviors, we are able to create even more positive change in our lives. From this basic insight, Hero Dragon frames the issue of self-control as a universal struggle and helps us playfully collaborate in confronting it. Hero Dragon also increases effectiveness, since no matter how "unreasonable" the circumstances of life become, staying calm is our best hope for creating positive change. Hero Dragon helps us encourage each other to keep our cool in the heat of real-life struggles. This book will guide parents through the process of using this valuable tool for communication and growth. Once the groundwork is laid, Hero Dragon can be quickly and effectively used anytime, anywhere. Hero Dragon starts with the basic understanding that dragons are good at getting attention; but beyond that, their actions are usually harmful rather than productive or helpful. Recognizing, understanding and controlling dragons then, is at the heart of successful Hero Dragon work. Talking about our dragons as a family lets us freely acknowledge the places we want to see change. Peaceful discussions lead to insights about each person's dragons and how they affect the family as a whole. No one likes to experience a dragon, from the inside or out, and it's this mutual need for change that provides the basis for deciding to collaborate for the good of all. Fortunately, this work is not all about our darkness. We are at our best when we remember that we are both hero and dragon, so we also look toward the bright side. Refining the images of our heroes lets us explore and envision the best possible dreams for ourselves. Giving definition to what we would like to embody provides a powerful, tangible target at which to aim. By talking about the dragons we face and the heroes we strive for, strategies emerge that can be used when a flame-throwing dragon arises. When tempers flare or fussiness abounds, the simple and effective imagery of Hero Dragon gives us a language that helps us communicate constructively with each other. For example, parents start to say, "let's calm the dragon and work this out as heroes" instead of, "that's wrong; go sit on a stool." The family quest to awaken heroes and subdue dragons effectively helps not only diffuse the volatility of a situation but also deal with the circumstances from which it arose. No deception, distraction or avoidance is involved. Instead, we directly face the issues and behavior at hand, and quickly move toward constructively addressing the needs of the moment. The results are positive change in action, and opportunity for deep learning. Hero Dragon evolves with the needs and desires of the participants, and becomes easy and light with use. The terminology is easily personalized, and words can be minimized or even eliminated. A simple hand gesture or a key phrase aimed at a rising dragon can serve as a reminder and bring peaceful change. Fiery circumstances for specific individuals can be anticipated and planned for. Even when left unused for periods of time, the playful imagery will continue to offer a powerful, less tense context in which to communicate. With practice, individuals can enhance their ability to tame their dragons internally - before they rise to action. Self-reflection and self-control blossom. As a family unit, communication is strengthened and closeness and honesty enhanced. With Hero Dragon, kids feel like they're playing a game, though they know it is helpful. Meanwhile, parents recognize a useful tool, though they know it is fun. The archetypal images allow us to playfully and productively collaborate instead of escalating anger or frustration. Families become better able to face the ever-present human need for improvement as we would like: bravely, happily, creatively, cooperatively and persistently. May our heroes grow and thrive in the continual process of revealing and subduing dragons. Copyright © 2006 Hero Dragon LLC, All Rights Reserved |
Copyright © 2012 by Hero Dragon LLC