A Goofy Challenge
It was only a matter of time before my kids brought one of those goofy internet challenges into our home. First, they tried to convince me and my bride that we should go with the sprite challenge. You know the one where you try to drink a full can/bottle of cold sprite without belching something fierce. I watched the videos and was disturbed. Most people just looked painfully uncomfortable through the whole thing. Although I will say that we now have a new inside joke that brings a smile to the whole family, we will resolutely pass on the opportunity!
The halls of my house were quiet for no more than a week and then my bride and I were goaded into considering this tortilla face slapping challenge via a rousing game of Rochambeau. I tried hard to resist, but failed. For those who are under initiated, the challenge is simple.
1. Both contestants fill their mouth to the brim with water.
2. Both contestants throw out their best Rochambeau hands.
3. The winner slaps the looser with a tortilla shell.
4. The loser is the first person who spews their water as they die of laughter.
I don’t easily try to get wrapped up with the latest internet craze, but I also have a policy that I try to live by with my kids. “Say ‘yes’ as often as you can. Say ‘no’ only when you must.” It only took a few moments for the kids to excitedly move outside with their tortillas. There were several red faces by the time we were done. Honestly, I don’t know what the kids enjoyed more – being able to slap me and my bride with the tortilla shells or the constant geysers of water coming out of our mouths.
Questions to Ponder
What’s the application in this silly little experience? Here are some of my initial thoughts.
Be observant of the world around you. Be prepared to entertain that which might seem otherwise weird to you. You never know how a weird challenge between you and your friends or family might draw you closer together.
Learning to say yes to the right opportunities can come with a little bit of pain, but it is well worth it to build memories!
You get to choose your pain. 😊
To those that look up to you, be willing to play the part of the fool every now and then.
No matter what grandma and mom told you, it is okay to play with your food… sometimes.
What should you consider as a result of this silly little experience?
What challenges are before you – big or small – that you need to re-frame as an opportunity for you to build stronger relationships with those closest to you?
How persistent can you be when you are slapped in the face – figuratively (or literally in this case) – to maintain your composure to win the competition that faces you?
To making more room for play.