Day 172
With the kids on the kindness
clock this week, I’m kicking back and enjoying the show.
They’ve always been good kids
(some days more than others) but I’m proud of how they now actively look for
ways to be kind to strangers.
Everyday. I’m waiting for it to translate
to each other, but I’m a patient woman and we still have six months to get
there.
Changing behaviors takes time. I know this. When I worked at the Ohio
Department of Public Safety, I worked on a statewide seat belt campaign
designed to get people to change their habits and buckle up. A state trooper once told me it takes 21 consecutive days to
adopt a new behavior. Remembering this gives
me an idea.
Our new experiment within an
experiment is to be kind to a member of the family every day until it becomes as natural as finding ways to
help a stranger.
“Let’s try something new,” I
start. “From now on, we are going
to say one kind thing to each other every day.”
“Starting when?” F. asks.
“Starting now.”
I. and F. look at each other and
bust out laughing.
“F., you’re awesome!”
Pause. “There.” F. rolls his eyes and falls on the
couch cushion in hysterics.
For some reason, I question his sincerity.
No comments:
Post a Comment