Scratchin' the Surface

Monday, February 04, 2008

I was concerned this study* wouldn't have enough "meat" to it. The book is innocent looking, bright yellow with a cute little cartoonish drawing on the cover. We're just getting started, so I approached this week's lesson with happy anticipation. "It'll take her awhile to get to the heart of the matter, right?" Silly me.

Here's the fun survey I got to do - TWENTY QUESTIONS (she almost makes it sound fun)

1. Do you gossip? Do you enjoy repeating the latest news or rumor you heard about another person?

2. Do you slander? Do you say things about others behind their backs that you would not say to their faces? Do your words cast others in a less than positive light?

3. Do you nag? Do you repeat your desires and opinions to others until you get what you want?

4. Do you meddle? Do you make the interaction between other people your concern? Do you try to referee arguments or act as a go-between?

5. Do you brag? Do you seek to present your skills, your experiences or your accomplishments as greater than they really are?

6. Do you lie? Are you ever less than truthful? Are you less than totally honest? Do you misrepresent yourself, others, or events?

7. Are you quarrelsome? Do you feel a need to be proved right or to have the last word? Do you argue?

8. Do you respond in anger? Are you hot-tempered or defensive? Are you easily provoked?

9. Do you talk too much? Do you babble? Do you spend a lot of time on the phone or in chat rooms? Do you monopolize conversations with your opinions? Do you interrupt?

10. Are you reluctant to admit you are wrong? Do you fail to ask for forgiveness? Do you refuse to admit your error when you feel the person's error is greater?

11. Do you betray a confidence? Do you repeat matters that you should keep private? If someone has failed or injured you, do you feel compelled to tell someone else about it?

12. Do you criticize? Do you find fault? Do you focus on the bad instead of the good? Do you see people's shortcomings more than their strengths?

13. Do you complain? Do you bewail the circumstances you find yourself in? Do you let others know that you resent being inconvenienced?

14. Do you make assumptions and assume the worst about other people's motives and intentions?

15. Do you hold grudges? Do you bring up or focus on past wrongs? Do you accuse others?

16. Are you sarcastic? Do you mock others? Do you use negative humor to put others down?

17. Are you malicious? Are your words intended to cut and wound? Are your words harsh?

18. Are you insincere in your compliments? Do you flatter others for your own advantage?

19. Is your speech filthy? Do you swear or use foul language? Do you use the latest slang or crass expressions?

20. Do you fail to listen? Do you jump to conclusions before you are sure that you have heard and understood?

Score: Never, Seldom, Occasionally, Often, Habitually

Circle the three main areas where your speech needs the most improvement.

Oh my! I didn't circle habitually on anything, but I also didn't get to circle never on any. And #4 - a personal favorite of mine. I like to call it "peacekeeping" but it's obvious God sees it differently. I think the world calls it "BusyBody". Not doing too slick on #9 either. And we're only on week two of seven. Meaty stuff!