Table Topics
Mind-stretching brain games and conversation starters. It's the perfect opportunity for sharing stories, building knowledge, strengthening character, and having fun!
What do you wish was different about you? I’m not very athletic; I don’t catch on to math easily; my nose is too big. Sound familiar?
If you are like most people, you have no trouble at all coming up with a list. But did you know that words you use when describing your dissatisfactions can make change more difficult?
Look at the examples from above.
Saying, "I’m not….." or "I don’t..." really closes the door on the possibility of improvement. Find another way to phrase the same thought that offers an opportunity for changes. "I was the slowest runner in the race today. Those other kids must get more exercise than I do." Now you are giving yourself the opportunity to get more exercise and improve your endurance. Try it out with some other negative ideas.
What about those things that just are, such as a big nose? Try some Things could be worse therapy. "What a disaster this big nose would be if I didn’t have such beautiful eyes!"
Read another issue of Table Topics
Learning from the words of others
Family anecdotes are always fun! Swap stories about some of the cute things the members of your family said or did as children. Here's one of our all time favorites:
My older sister learned the Lord's Prayer as a toddler, but added her own special thought, "Now I lay me down to sleep, wake me up early and give me my Cheer-me-o's."
Read
another of my favorite family stories in
Sweeten Someone's Childhood. Read
the article.
