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Sparkle (2)
I once led an adult Sunday School class on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. I knew there was power in this kind of affirmation action, but I didn't foresee the equal and opposite reaction of people being completely unprepared and unwilling to sit still and accept sincerely heartfelt thanks.
Image: vistamommy via Flickr
Especially among these conservative Christians.
1. Everyone had to write down one thing they were thankful for about the other 14 of us in the room.2. We had to go around the room and, one person at a time, everyone had to read what they were thankful for about that person.3. When it was your turn to listen, you were not allowed any self putdowns, nor self-deprecating jokes. Your choices were to say thank you or to shut up.
Men and women were visibly cringing when it was their turn, sobbing so hard, they couldn't look at each other. We had to pause at several points because these people couldn't deal with hearing so many good things said about them.
Which is when it dawned on me that the critical, finger-wagging tone we hear from a lot of conservatives pales in comparison to the tone they use on themselves.
Something I'm incredibly thankful to have figured out.
Something I'm incredibly thankful to have figured out.
Read more Life Lessons, Halfway Through from a post-menopausal woman, halfway between doll collecting and death.
