Go Slow! Lay Low! Don t Blow!
Be patient and listen! That s Caring Habit s October theme of the month. The power of this theme provides an opportunity for significant character learning with youth. In our throw-away, sound-bite, instant gratification, always-on-the-go American society, can we learn to practice the axiom: Go slow, lay low, and don t blow! Let s explore.
Go Slow! Would you enjoy experiencing a great moment with a friend? Discover what it s like to sit back and do nothing except have a quality conversation with your friend.
Everybody needs to talk about what s going on in their life. But, very few friends take the time to truly listen with a caring heart and mind. You ll be making a significant caring connection with the wud s up in your friend s life.
Lay Low! Are you always on the go&with your friends, on the internet, on the telephone? You know what I mean. Do you quickly use the words, “I m bored,” whenever things slow down a bit in your life?
Let me suggest a radically old and adventuresome alternative to your I m bored moment. Grab a book, a biography, about someone you ve heard about or are interested in. Dig in and discover how quickly you can cure your belief that slowing down is unproductive and unexciting. You will be amazed at what it s like to travel into another s life only to discover something new about yours.
Don t Blow! Do you find yourself expressing anger in unproductive ways? Sure, we all have anger moments. Anger becomes an issue when it rules our emotions.
The next time you see your anger is going on overdrive, I encourage you to take a 30 second timeout. Just stop whatever you are doing. In the 30 seconds ask yourself two questions, “Is the problem that s making me so angry right now going to be on tonight s evening news? Is this such a big deal that I m going to read about it in tomorrow s paper?” Then, take a deep breath, exhale and smile. I promise your 30 second timeout will re-frame your anger so you can become a positive problem-solver with your emotions.
– Russ Williams