My neighborhood doesn’t have curbs. I’m not sure who decides whether or not to add curbs to the side of the road but regardless, it is pretty easy to tell when you have crossed the line; the feeling is completely different and it’s easy to lose control.Curb. That is one of those words that sounds weird when you say it more than once. By definition, it means to “restrain, hold back, limit, control.”
If you’ve ever “accidentally” hit a curb, you are familiar with the jolt of the correction. Immediately, you are set back on course. No curb and it’s up to you to get back on course.
When I hear, “Curb your emotions,” I picture a little concrete wall that keeps me from getting out of line. Unfortunately, those little curbs are just that…little. Easy to jump and disregard.
So here’s a question, if you jump the curb and hit a tree, do you blame the city for not installing curbs? Maybe you blame the tree. If you lose your temper and damage a relationship, do you blame your parents for not “curbing your emotions?” Or maybe you just blame the person you damaged. Ouch.
Thoughts?
Mama j
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2 comments:
I love this question...my first gut reaction was NO ONE should curb their emotions; we all need to feel our feelings. As a teen I was told my feelings were "wrong" or "inappropriate"...so I learned not to trust them. However, if we're talking about controlling our own reactions to those emotions...well, I can see where this might be a wise and useful skill. So...Mama J., maybe my answer to your question opens up a larger conversation...which of course, we'll need to have while sitting in MY church in beach chairs.
Ahhhh! Glad it inspired you to deeper thought. Answers aren't always so simple - would love to have this convo by the beach. Count me in!
mama j
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