Comments on: Kerrying On: Breaking Habits

By: Joanne Richards

Joanne Richards — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:19:04 +0000

Hello. I just finished reading “Breaking Habits” & felt the need to respond to the comment about the “snarling pit bull next door.” I wish this had been worded “the snarling dog next door,” as pit bulls are so often portrayed in an undeserved negative light. We have had our Pit Bull (Sandy) for over 5 years & she is a cherished member of our family. She is friendly & loving, often sleeping in our bed or with our daughters or curled up near one of our cats. One night Sandy woke my husband up, nudging him & fussing until he got up to let her outside. When he opened the door to our deck, my husband found our 8 year old daughter sitting on a chair, sound asleep in the dark after an episode of sleep-walking. Our Pit Bull noticed this, knew it wasn’t right, & persisted until she got my husband to get up & check on this. Once our daughter was back in bed, Sandy was fine. Our daughter could easily have gotten lost in the woods or the swamp near our home or at the very least awoken, frightened to find herself outside in the dark. Please don’t add to the hysteria about Pit Bulls. Those who exhibit bad behavior have likely been mistreated or taught to be aggressive. Thank you.

By: Neera Khanna

Neera Khanna — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:24:16 +0000

Hi there,
this was very useful / I’m going to try the tips

thankyou Kerry

By: John Froelich

John Froelich — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:28:30 +0000

Kerry,

I look forward every week to your blog. I loved this week’s and could relate to both aspects. I am sorely tested when I take my children to the Empire State Building or the ultimate test, a one mile spit down the Grand Canyon!!! It’s got a railing.

I also took to heart the comments on getting out of the rut. I leveraged this approach several months ago during a “routine” sales review call. By backing up I was able to identify a couple of potential train wrecks that we got back on track.

Thanks for sharing your life and the insights. Be well and keep on blogging.

By: Ronald S

Ronald S — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:43:23 +0000

I just started reading a book titled “Presence” authored by several people including Peter Senge, C. Otto Scharmer, Joe Jaworski and Betty Sue Flowers. I mention this because in the introduction they speak to what you have written. Most of our communication is programmed reactive responses. To the degree that we begin to think more deeply about what we are experiencing we have the possibility of formulating more creative and future oriented ways of being. Our thinking may reorient to a future way of being rather then the programed responses and resistance to change that retards our progress.

By: Joanne

Joanne — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:45:20 +0000

Dear Kerry,

Thanks for another in a long line of entertaining, insightful stories!

It was valuable to me to learn that I am not alone in wishing, AFTER a frustrating interaction, that I could have spoken or acted differently. In a past abusive marriage, I found myself getting sucked into the same old conversations in which I felt manipulated and helpless.

I thought I was somehow socially deficient not to be able to recognize at the time what was really going on.

I always enjoy your stories, and they almost always teach me something.

Thanks!

By: Jan

Jan — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:02:18 +0000

Your article provided valuable insight. Thank you.
One suggestion though, the spitting thing. Your graphic description using the word “loogie” made me realize I should not have eaten breakfast before reading your article. I lost focus until my stomach settled down –
Now when I’m on my deck or any other, I have no choice but to think of you. Or do I? Think I’ll go back, read the article again and reprogram myself. Sincerely, Jan

By: Keith Miles

Keith Miles — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:45:57 +0000

Kerry,
After reading a number of your articles I’m convinced what a talented communicator you are. I especially like the way you weave humor into your insight then follow with practical suggestions. I’m going to be putting up some signs to trigger the cognitive and allow my brain to catch up and stay engaged. Well done and enjoyable.

By: Christie Childers

Christie Childers — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:36:27 +0000

Dear Kerry,
Thanks so much for Kerrying On. That your stories are vivid and memorable in themselves makes your message memorable as well. Quite some time ago, I read a wonderful column about a gray fedora and even today, when I’m having difficulty seeing someone else as an individual worthy of my patience or respect, in my mind I pull out the gray fedora. It almost always works!

By: Linda

Linda — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:10:14 +0000

Kerry,

Thanks for your humorous version of “nature versus nurture” and showing us some ways to break habits/programmed scripts. I enjoy your blog and have learned (and will continue learning) so many ways to improve my communications skills with colleagues, friends, and family.

So what ever happened with the fry sauce? 🙂

By: Cathy Parsons

Cathy Parsons — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:41:41 +0000

Dear Kerry:
I laughed aloud several time throughout your story about breaking bad habits – my hallway neighbours at work must have wondered what was going on! Thank you for adding the humour to your stories that make them so memorable.

During my master’s studies last year we talked quite a bit about the making and breaking of habits. Thank goodness that we now know the ability of the brain to strenghthen different pathways and to create new ones. For myself, I know that the adage, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” has no meaning for me, yet for others it serves as a good excuse.

All the best. I hope to meet you in person some day. I was unable to make the Salt Lake City get-together but perhaps sometime in the future.

sincerely,
Cathy Parsons