Redirection

FABLES FOR OUR GRANDCHILDREN
READING TIME: 1 MINUTE

Ada, remember when you were being relentlessly tormented in high school by that behemoth of a girl?

And that momentous day when she cornered you in the cafeteria so she could signal her brutality and dominance to horrified onlookers. She ranted and taunted you, then threatened bodily harm. She squeezed her sausage fingers into a fist. “Well, ya just gonna stand there looking stupid?”

You looked her square in the eyes — and vomited on her shoes. Not just any shoes, but her new fancy high-tops.

Her reaction exhibits the power of the unexpected interruption and its potential to change the trajectory of a conversation.

She screamed and bolted for the girls’ bathroom sink while you wiped the corners of your dainty mouth with a napkin.

No matter how dreadfully a situation is headed, you can do your best to move it toward a more positive path for everyone’s sake. An unexpected interruption is an astute tool — even if it’s some extra work for the janitor.

I love you,
Granny

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