Page 11 - SB-The Angry Hornet

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 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, as in anger, fear or shame. This will lead to inappropriate behavior such as 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 boys who were walking in the woods.
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