Connor was trying to pick a lock on his toy box. His frustration was growing after bending several paper clips and pieces of wire with many different tools without any success.
So, I offered a suggestion. “Why don’t you stop and brainstorm a bit. Try to think of other ways, other tools to use to get into that box.”
He sat with that thought for a while, then he said, “I’ve got it! No…. that won’t work.”
Curiously, I asked, “What won’t work?”
He answered, “My last idea. I know it’s not going to work out.”
Slouching his shoulders, he said, “I have to come up with something else.”
He was so frustrated… but worse, he was deflated.
So, I tried to bolster his creative spirit!
“Connor, if you thought of something, you should try it out. That’s the thing about brainstorming. It’s a brain technique that allows for you to free your imagination. But you should never just dismiss an idea without even trying it.”
“Never?” He asked.
“Never! Connor, you’re brainstorming. Any idea could be THE ONE that will solve the whole problem!”
“Even an idea that involves an active volcano?”
(Journal: 1/5/16)
Carole Says... 
Well…. I’m glad Connor already knows how to “check” himself. One of the gifts of the Spirit: self control!😀 Good blog😊