I have this new technique I’ve employed in my parenting lately. It’s called the “cause and effect” strategy. I’ve told my children that each time they say ‘I’m bored!” they have to take a time out. There are no “ifs” “ands” or “buts” just have a seat and wait. It’s working pretty well actually but then again, as I’ve said before in my parenting rants, everything works for 5 minutes.
This does give me pause, however. I wonder how many things I say without thinking…how many things
I complain about in the spirit of “I’m bored” that I need to really wrench out of myself.
I made this joke the other day with someone that each time I wanted to complain about my body I was going to just drop to the floor and do twenty pushups. Today, though…I’m thinking maybe it’s not a joke. I may have actually hit upon something. This is my challenge this Lent. I’m giving up idle statements and I’m sacrificing on behalf of those idle statements. Each time I say something in complaint about my body in particular I am going to drop and do twenty push ups, sit ups, squats or wall presses.
I’m inviting you to do the same. Find a phrase or a reason for the action and then take it. Let’s take charge of our thinking this Lent, huh?
Calie
February 12, 2010
I’ll take that challenge, but I need to apply it to statements I make to my children. When I’m stressed or frustrated I tend to say things without thinking them through, for example: when my 4 yr old cries for the 100th time that he doesn’t want to take a nap and I say, “I don’t care.” I hate when that comes out of my mouth b/c I do care. It’s no the right response I’m just too tired or frustrated to think it through. Maybe this chalenge will help me think before I speak and the push-ups will be a great way to work out my stress and frustration.
Carlen
February 15, 2010
I like this idea a lot. Changing my thinking would be much more beneficial, especially in the long term, than just giving something up for 40 days. Your body statements probably align with my self-talk that is oh-so-negative, just about me in general. I’m thinking on this, making it specific, and doing it! Thanks for leading the way.