Re: Journal of Magic & Happiness
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2018 11:50 am
I wanted to open up this little concept of preparing for situations mentally, without actually putting oneself in the situation.
For example, some parents are really good about drilling their kids on “what to do if a stranger approaches you” or “what to do if the house catches on fire”. Generally, they keep drilling their kids, “Do you remember what to do if someone asks you to get in their car?” Or, “Where are we going to all meet up if we have to evacuate the house?”
In other words, without lighting the house on fire, and without hiring a pedophile to pursue your kid, you can make sure that a child knows step by step, what they do first, and what they do second, etc.
I honestly believe that people should have this type of simulator before they ever enter a difficult situation, like co-workers celebrating a birthday and bringing an effing cupcake to your cubicle; or being on vacation and having the other couple try to offer you a glass of wine.
In other words, we should practice these situations, FIRST with only imaginary cupcakes. Because if you get it wrong, there are no consequences.
Example:
Me #1: “Self, what’d’ya do when your coworker has a birthday and brings you a cupcake right to your cubicle with a smile?”
Me #2: “Say thank you and then eat the frosting off?”
Me #1: “[BUZZER!!!!]” “Let’s try again! What’s the plan when a co-worker has a birthday and brings you a cupcake? What’re y’gonna do first?”
So, you’re only practicing with imaginary cupcakes, just like moms drill their kids with imaginary fires and imaginary pedophiles. Once you’re in the situation, it’s WAY too late.
My mother used to drill us (because it was the 80s, and we were all about stranger-danger!) that if someone came around and said, “Your mother’s been in an accident and asked me to pick you up from school”, that me or my brother had to ask him what my mother’s middle name was, and if he didn’t know, then he was a fake.
Oh, the joy of the 80s!
So, there are some of my thoughts on forming a sequence of behaviors in response to a situation, and just walking through that sequence LONG before we ever have to be in a tough situation!
For example, some parents are really good about drilling their kids on “what to do if a stranger approaches you” or “what to do if the house catches on fire”. Generally, they keep drilling their kids, “Do you remember what to do if someone asks you to get in their car?” Or, “Where are we going to all meet up if we have to evacuate the house?”
In other words, without lighting the house on fire, and without hiring a pedophile to pursue your kid, you can make sure that a child knows step by step, what they do first, and what they do second, etc.
I honestly believe that people should have this type of simulator before they ever enter a difficult situation, like co-workers celebrating a birthday and bringing an effing cupcake to your cubicle; or being on vacation and having the other couple try to offer you a glass of wine.
In other words, we should practice these situations, FIRST with only imaginary cupcakes. Because if you get it wrong, there are no consequences.
Example:
Me #1: “Self, what’d’ya do when your coworker has a birthday and brings you a cupcake right to your cubicle with a smile?”
Me #2: “Say thank you and then eat the frosting off?”
Me #1: “[BUZZER!!!!]” “Let’s try again! What’s the plan when a co-worker has a birthday and brings you a cupcake? What’re y’gonna do first?”
So, you’re only practicing with imaginary cupcakes, just like moms drill their kids with imaginary fires and imaginary pedophiles. Once you’re in the situation, it’s WAY too late.
My mother used to drill us (because it was the 80s, and we were all about stranger-danger!) that if someone came around and said, “Your mother’s been in an accident and asked me to pick you up from school”, that me or my brother had to ask him what my mother’s middle name was, and if he didn’t know, then he was a fake.
Oh, the joy of the 80s!
So, there are some of my thoughts on forming a sequence of behaviors in response to a situation, and just walking through that sequence LONG before we ever have to be in a tough situation!