Page 26 - SB-Collard Green Garden

COSMOS EXPLAINS THE COLLARD GREEN GARDEN
Peer Pressure can come in many forms. If we fall into the trap of manipulation, we will be at the mercy of others. These “others” may not have our best interest at heart.
The Collard Green Garden is designed to show you the various methods that people use to take advantage of each other. Others may try to make you feel responsible (Rabbit) for them or their problems. They may try to get you to think that your judgment is wrong (Owl) and that you should do what they want. They may threaten you (Bull) and try to get you to do things you know you shouldn’t by threatening to hurt or embarrass you. These behaviors are called manipulation and are also known as negative peer pressure.
You should understand that this manipulation has no basis in reality and that you must challenge your Stinky Thinking or be victimized by it. We sometimes think of peer pressure as occurring when a “Strong person” manipulates a “Weak person.” For example, when the Owl gets the Young Girl to question her belief in her own capability to make the garden. You also see the “strong manipulating the weak” with the Bull character. The Bull tries to scare the Young Girl and she tells herself scary things about what will happen if she disobeys him.
This story also includes the Rabbit character, who controls the Young Girl when the girl makes herself feel guilty. The Young Girl makes herself feel responsible for the Rabbit’s success and happiness or failure and misery.
23