Saying you don’t have something is not the same as asking for it.
-Said by some mom somewhere, ohh me.
This was about fruit juice at the time but it struck me as something more omnipresent.
What is the thing that you don’t have that you should be asking for—or just going for
???
Some things are out of reach but other things/people/places/skills/qualities are just not reached for. The difference is very big and maybe Awkward, but doable.
I forget what we were saying about grasping at straws?
But first we must reach.
What is awkward?
it’s that wobbly sensation, it’s that blushing clench, it’s feeling daft…it’s usually brief.
Tree Planting
So let’s literally talk about tree planting for a sec although it is a good metaphor. Planting trees (from seed) , oftentimes you can just go up to a tree and grab a seed or nut, free of charge. From seed, into the ground is the best way to plant a tree because the root system of a planted tree is superior to that of a store bought nursery kept tree. The tree will never really recover from being a root bound nursery tree. This is from Peter Wohlleben, the German tree expert.
But that doesn’t mean the tree can’t try.
It’s fun to plant a tree. It’s a set it and forget it kind of thing. I had great luck with Eastern Red Buds. I’m still waiting on the Oaks. Not sure if they are going to sprout.
Testing My Loyalty
I have noticed a phenomenon in preschoolers that I would like to share and this would be the loyalty or obedience test of the parents.
The kid, generally aged 3-5, will give the adult a task…Let’s say it’s to save a piece of cake for later or transport a toy from point a to point b.
The child will almost certainly later test the adult for the “piece of cake” that was directed to be saved and also almost certainly not eat it. If the hypothetical “cake” was not saved as directed, the child will be inconsolable or just very pissed.
The test was failed.
If the “cake” is indeed saved and delivered at the demanded time, relative peace will continue but the “cake” will almost certainly not be eaten. You will notice an air of pleasant surprise about the child. The cake will never be needed again. You can basically throw it out right away.
The test was passed.
I am calling this the preschool loyalty test and although it probably isn’t in any child development texts, as I have read some in the process of becoming an Occupational Therapy Assistant, it probably should be.
What are the long term ramifications of repeated failure of the preschool loyalty test?
That is something I am not sure of. Let me know if you remember performing any such tests on your parents. I remember an instance of my own with a new NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK lunch box.
It was failed.
The Benefit of the Doubt.
I cannot tell you if you should maybe give a stranger the benefit of the doubt.
I can say with certainty that you should give it to yourself.
DO SOMETHING AWKWARD TODAY
But like, not to someone else.
Like me, I have this painting I need to start and it’s gonna be awkward. And it’s usually expensive.