Chapter 21
The Butter Won't Come
XXI There was a great stir in the milk-house just after breakfast. The churn revolved as usual, but the butter would not come. Whenever this happened the dairy was paralyzed. Squish, squash echoed the milk in the great cylinder, but never arose the sound they waited for. Dairyman Crick and his wife, the milkmaids Tess, Marian, Retty Priddle, Izz Huett, and the married ones from the cottages; also Mr Clare, Jonathan Kail, old Deborah, and the rest, stood gazing hopelessly at the churn; and the boy who kept the horse going outside put on moon-like eyes to show his sense…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Challenge Your Worthiness Scorecard
Think of something you want but feel you don't deserve, a relationship, job opportunity, or personal goal. Write down the specific reasons you think others deserve it more than you. Then rewrite each reason as if you were defending a friend who had your exact same background and circumstances.
Consider:
- •Notice how much harsher you are with yourself than you would be with a friend
- •Pay attention to whether your 'reasons' are actually facts or shame-based assumptions
- •Consider whether your struggles might have given you valuable qualities others lack
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when shame convinced you to step aside for someone else. Looking back, what would you tell your past self about worthiness and second chances?
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