Page 25 - Whispering Squirrels

This is not to say that those two reactions are not occasionally appropriate but the ability to hold our emotions and behaviors at bay until we can rationally assess the situation is a learned skill.
In our “Whispering Squirrels” story, three squirrels are walking past two other squirrels that are whispering to each other. As each squirrel approaches these two other squirrels, they stop whispering. But as soon as one of our squirrel characters past them, the Whispering Squirrels laugh and start whispering again.
The first Squirrel’s automatic thoughts lead him to become angry and there are disastrous results. The second Squirrel’s automatic thoughts lead him to be very sad with similar results. The third Squirrel experiences the same thoughts and emotions but holds them in check.
This allows her time to assess the situation (they are whispering) evaluate alternatives (I can assume they are talking about me and saying ugly things or I can tell myself that I don’t know what they are talking about. And even if they are talking about me, I am not going to let myself be upset). Her ability to effectively “thinking through” the situation allows her to stiffen her resolve not to get upset and to have a nice day.
These are the skills that will allow us to not over or under react to a situation and to stay with our decisions regardless of the pressures applied by others to change our mind. This is a lesson for the child who fights at the least provocation, as well as the child who runs to the teacher to solve their every problem.
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