Are you patriotic? What does being patriotic mean to you?
I immediately thought of the verse, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” (Psalm 122:6) Jerusalem means the country in which I live. When I’m patriotic, I’m praying and acting on behalf of my home.
What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?
My biggest scary situation is being well-known. But, stepping out in faith in my creative work may bring that result. So I will trust God for ways to manage that fear.
ALL-OR-NOTHING THINKING: You see things in black-and-white categories. If your performance falls short of perfect, you see yourself as a total failure.
David D. Burns, Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy
“All I do is mess up.”
“Nobody has any respect these days.”
“All politicians are corrupt.”
These are samples of all-or-nothing thinking that I have heard expressed.
The “hasty generalization” fallacy is unethical, creates strong, sour, unpleasant emotions but does not help any matter get better. It is rampant in American thinking. In extremes, the fallacy leads to hatred of self and others, and even to violence.
A remedy is Both-And Thinking. That means including some of each side in your approach. For instance:
“SOMETIMES I mess up—but not all the time!”
“MANY people have respect, despite a FEW outliers.”
“SOME politicians are altruistic and desire the best for their constituents.”
Think sensibly. Yes, there are wholesome extremes in thinking, such as:
“God is good.”
However, check your thinking the next time you feel a powerful negative emotion, because you may be using the despair-creating all-or-nothing fallacy.
Do you vote in political elections?
I love voting!
Long, long ago, I voted a “party” ticket. But now I research candidates and choose “the best person for the job.” Honestly, my little one vote means something!
What’s the biggest risk you’d like to take — but haven’t been able to?
Ironic, isn’t it, that I taught public speaking for years at the college level, but I’m afraid to make the appointments to talk about my books and “God Active in Science—and Story”?
In due time, in due time, I shall make the calls. And speak. And sign books.
Rosemary Althoff, Author 