Interrupt It, Upchuck It​

— body language by Weddie Thiên  —

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How many times have you snapped in a huff,

Then regretted your blaming, your bluster, your guff?

How many times did you thoughtlessly blurt,

A zinger that left someone's feelings all hurt?

How many times did defensiveness bite,

Forgetting it takes two to have any fight?

How much better your loving, your life, and your days,

If you could just stop yourself right there in mid-blaze!

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It's seldom a stranger; it's husband or wife,

Your child or your boss or the love of your life,

Your parent, your friend, an employee, and so,

The ties that mean most take the heaviest blow!

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Your words leave the barn like a runaway horse,

Before you're aware of their speed or their course!

You know it wreaks damage on you and on them,

And the bond in between, but the flood you can't stem,

Like a lemming that marches in line to the ledge,

Drawn down to its doom and right over the edge!

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Interrupt it, upchuck it, go silly, go weird,

Till the pattern you hate has at last disappeared!

When they wink, snap to it: sing and bow and then pay,

And that habit gets confused and just wanders away!

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So what is the source of this snapping and spite?

It's living inside, every day, every night,

The House of Good and Bad! As you step your way out,

Undoing your shoulds, that's what leaving's about,

These habits will die on their own, that’s true.

But it takes quite a while, and may never be through.

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But life’s right now, just pick one, Jamie, let's say,

And some time when you two are just fine and okay,

Ask for their help with this problem you've fought on your own,

Where you haven't done so well going at it alone.

Admit that it’s all yours, your blame, and your bristle,

Defensive and prickly, as sharp as a thistle,

And you don't want it in you, it shows no respect,

To yourself, or to Jamie, or the bond you'd protect.

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You hope to catch it as it starts, you intend,

But Jamie's more likely to spot it, and then,

She winks, face to face, that's the signal you get,

Or a raspberry sound on the phone, and you're set!

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At the wink, sing in a squeaky old Donald Duck quack,

"Row, row, row our boats," and hold nothing back!

Then down on one knee, bow as deep as you've got,

Then the smallest coin, give it to her on the spot,

Not a penance, not guilt, but a jolt to your brain,

That derails your machinery's rattling train!

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Interrupt it, upchuck it, go silly, go weird,

Till the pattern you hate has at last disappeared!

When they wink, snap to it: sing and bow and then pay,

And that habit gets confused and just wanders away!

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Caught yourself first, before Jamie can wink?

Then still sing! And bow! Don't dodge it or shrink!

But the coin? It can stay, in your pocket, hooray!

And if it should lapse, then whoever sees, straightaway,

Brings it up, with some tweaks, and you're back on your way!

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When Heidi, my helper in China, would bring

Me news of a cost, I'd get cross, and it'd sting,

Though she only brought news! So we hit on the key:

She'd ask, "Are you upset?" and then, instantly,

I'd lie on the floor and I'd scream like a child!

Just twice, and my machinery gave up getting riled!

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I've coached many people; it works every time!

In Shanghai, one yuan was my wake-up-call chime,

For any impatience when my helper forgot,

Three times, and that pattern was gone like a shot!

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Ask for help, and the ones you've dumped on may let go.

Of some of their grudges and distrust, and so,

They might even respect you a little, although,

That's extra, a bonus, not needed, you know!

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Adapt it to suit every bond, every case,

For the phone, pick some acts that don't need face to face!

Splash cold water, munch dog nibbles, skip, or go straight,

To counting by halves, eighty-three down to seventy-eight!

Agree it in advance; do it instantly, right,

In front of the one you've abused, in their sight!

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It might take some courage to open this talk,

Some courage to follow through, walking the walk,

So review the four steps of choosing courage with care,

Step by step, pretty quickly, your bonds can repair!

So pick your first person, and plan your first step,

And then take it right now, with some gumption and pep!

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Interrupt it, upchuck it, go silly, go weird,

Till the pattern you hate has at last disappeared!

When they wink, snap to it: sing and bow and then pay,

And that habit gets confused and just wanders away!

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