Stubborn Girl

Written April 21, 2020

Picture this.  A little redheaded toddler crying and wanting to leave her daycare center.   Pretty normal right?  But no, she says she doesn’t want to come back. She refuses to stop crying until her mom comes to pick her up.  And when she gets home, she tells her dad she is not going back.    No, I’m not talking about my daughter.  I’m talking about my earliest memory.  I went to preschool a couple days a week when I was 3 for socialization (only child here) and I did not like that one.   I do not remember the logistics of why I did not like it, but I do remember once a lady was mean about me not eating all of my baked beans haha.  I did not end up going back after that day either.   I really dug my heels in on this one and was adamant about not going back.  

It ended up working out because I went to a preschool at the home of someone my mom knew and I liked that better.  I think even at that young age I did better when things are more flexible and less rigid.  But now that I am a parent to a strong willed daughter, I can imagine that was pretty difficult to deal with as a parent.

This story is just one of many examples in my life when I have been stubborn about something.  I have gotten much better over the years, but it is definitely a personality trait I have had to work on.   Until recently, I thought it was a negative personality trait that I needed to try to stop, but when I look at myself, my friends and  my family who can also be stubborn, I find it can be a good thing in certain situations.  I also find that it sounds a lot better when you call it strong willed instead of stubborn. When you know in your gut that you should take a risk that sounds crazy to others, being strong willed can be a gift. Most successful entrepreneurs are strong willed.   Watch an episode of Shark Tank and you will see some very successful strong willed personalities.

God can use a person’s strong will to guide them through unique situations.  Your strong will can be used during this uncertain time to not let this pandemic determine your life.   No that does not mean ignore the precautions.   It means not letting fear win.   It means finding ways to enjoy life in hard times.  We can adapt our lifestyles to this new normal for now, but not give in to negative thoughts.  

The most important thing about any personality trait is how you use it.  I have had to learn over the years that if I am feeling stubborn about something, I need to take some time to think and pray before committing to how I react.  I need to dig my heels in on how to move forward for some situations and I might just be having a rough day in other situations.   I have also learned that crying nonstop is not the best way to be strong willed. Thank goodness. Can you imagine a 31 year old crying at her desk saying she is not coming back to work?  I can because I feel that way a lot but thankfully I have learned it is better to look for alternatives if a situation is not working out instead of just stating you are done with the current situation.