Page 15 - SB-Whispering Squirrels
P. 15
Everyone has situations (activating events) to deal with each and every day. Some situations can be dealt with easily and some are more difficult. The more difficult ones are the Whispering Squirrels.
Because most of us are not taught good ways of thinking about these difficult situations, our thinking is frequently “Stinky,” our emotions are “Not OK” and our behavior is “Thumbs Down.” When this happens, the results of our inappropriate emotions and behaviors may cause more problems than the original Whispering Squirrels situation. Let’s take a typical situation and look at two different ways of handling it.
Your brother wants to watch one thing on TV and you want something else.
Stinking Thinking
He always gets to watch everything he wants. It is not fair that I miss my favorite show. I must see my show or I just can’t stand it.
Your emotions will be:
Anger Frustration Hatred
Your behavior will be:
Pouting Arguing Fighting
As a result of your “Stinky” Thinking... Feeling...Behaving, your parents punish you by restricting you from watching any TV for the rest of the week.
Good Thinking
It is just a TV show, no big deal. Maybe we can share TV time.
I may like his show as well as mine.
Your emotions will be:
Slightly annoyed Indifference Calmness
Your behaviors will be:
You will watch the show with
your brother.
You will find something else to do.
You will make a deal to watch this show, if you can watch yours next week.
As a result of your “Good” Thinking... Feeling...Behaving, you remain in control, no one gets upset and you may have gotten to watch your TV show.
You tell yourself:
You tell yourself:
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