Page 19 - Whispering Squirrels

If that is how you would feel and act, you are pretty normal. But just like in the story, going with what comes naturally will cost you. You will get in trouble for your fighting and you will fail your test. The older you become, doing what may be “natural” will have even worst consequences.
You are not too young to learn to be like the third squirrel in the story. She was also confronted by a whispering squirrel. Her immediate thoughts were just like the other two squirrels and she was also upset. The difference was that she did not let her “normal” reaction control her. She told herself to stop and think, “How should I handle this?” She came up with a plan based on what she really knew and stuck with the plan. In the end she handled the situation well and was happy.
If someone is making fun of you or giving you a hard time stop and think. “Is there any reason I should let myself get upset about what this person is saying? Why should I give them the power to control my feelings and behavior? Why should I get myself into trouble because of what they are saying or doing?” You don’t have to like their behavior but you should control how you react to their behavior. You can control your reactions by controlling your thinking.
What about that spelling test? You don’t the words and they are very difficult. How will you feel if you tell yourself, “They are just too hard and I will never learn them,” or “I am too dumb to ever learn these words.” You may feel sad or embarrassed and you will not want to study and will find all kind of ways of avoiding studying. Then what will happen? You will fail the test!
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