Page 12 - SB-Whispering Squirrels

Most of the time you think that “A” the “activating event” causes “C” the “consequences” (how you feel and behave). If you are angry or sad and someone asks you why you seem so upset, you may reply, “Because the teacher gave me a failing grade” or “Because Tommy called me a name.” That is exactly what most people would say, even grown-ups. But they would all be wrong.
Your feelings and behaviors are the result of the things you tell yourself. If you tell yourself foolish, unrealistic things (Stinky Thinking), your emotions will be negative, like anger, fear or shame. This will lead to inappropriate behavior like fighting, lying or avoiding others.
By telling yourself things that make sense (Good Thinking) about a situation, you will have appropriate emotions and more effective behaviors. Let’s take a minute to talk about our three squirrels and those “Whispering Squirrels.”
(C) EMOTIONS
GOOD THINKING
STINKY THINKING
(B) BELIEFS
(A) ACTIVATING EVENT
(C) BEHAVIORS
Continue to have fun
fighting Running away
Slightly upset bit calm
Very angry Very scared
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