Pondering with a Purpose

This Week's prompt is: Punishments you've Received

Through the years I have received various punishments, most of them well deserved.  But when I was a kid, I remember one spanking I received from my dad that I did not deserve.  One of my brothers lied about something and said that I had done it, so I ran and hid under the bed.  My dad found me and had a devil of a time trying to get me out, and needless to say I got a sound spanking--probably as much from him having to fight to get me out as from whatever it was that I was supposed to have done.  I still remember the hurt of that undeserved punishment.

Probably one of the most effective punishments that I received as a teenager was from my Algebra teacher when I was a freshman.  Most of the time I was a model student, but one day I was caught joking in class, and I can still hear my teacher say--"For your assignment tomorrow, you are to give a report to the class on the meaning of your name."  I prepared my report, and imagine my embarrassment when I had to get up in front of the class and state the meaning of my name was LADY.  Needless to say, I behaved it that teachers class the rest of the year.

Generally, in recent years, I punishment myself for perceived failures.  I am pretty hard on myself, and often have to take a step back and remind me that no one is perfect, and it is alright to mess up once in awhile as long as you learn from it, and that carrying guilt is not healthy.  So--just get over it!