Last month I had Grandma’s Camp at our house. It was a lot of fun. For several days my grandchildren and I played and did activities together.
We didn’t watch the movie. Instead, we played a game, and had a lot more fun.
My granddaughter actually was speaking about a principle, although she would not have called it that, and didn’t realize that’s what it was. The principle is this: An experience has no meaning in and of itself. It’s how we interpret those experiences that provides the meaning and emotion.
I didn’t want to talk her into watching the movie, because I think it’s important that she know she can honor her own feelings. I want her to be comfortable deciding what it is that she’s feeling, and I want her to be in charge of what she does when she faces feelings. I was very proud of her for being able to articulate something about her inner feelings, and want to make sure that I support her in that process.
Essentially, what we can do in this type of scenario, is teaching the FEAR process, helping that understand the source of their discomfort. Sometimes FEAR is this: False Evidence Appearing Real. So we help them understand.
Knowing that feelings are important, we can choose what to do with them based on principle. Different situations require different responses, but they can always be based on well-reasoned principles.
Fear is something that hinders us in doing great things. It stops us and gives us limitations. I think that this thing must not occur. We only have one life. I could not predict how long I would live, but to be happy and fearless can make me a better individual. I know that throughout, God will protect me, support me and love me. With that, I can say that I am not afraid of anything. I will be stringing for all the people around me.