Inse was sitting at his desk, staring at his math homework with a knot in his stomach. He didn’t understand the problem, and the more he tried to solve it, the more anxious he became. He felt like he was the only one in the world who didn’t get it.
Curity noticed her brother’s distress and came over to his desk. “Hey, Inse, what’s up?”
Inse sighed heavily. “I don’t get this math problem. I don’t know what to do, and I’m afraid to ask for help.”
Curity smiled. “That’s okay, Inse. Remember the five transformations? We can use them to help you overcome your homework anxiety.”
Inse perked up. “Okay, I’m listening.”
Curity explained the first transformation to him. “First, you need to ignore the voice of insecurity. Don’t let it make you feel bad about not understanding the problem. It’s okay to ask for help.”
Inse nodded. “Okay, I’ll try.”
The second transformation was more difficult. “Next, you need to use the voice of insecurity as amusement and inspiration. Laugh at your anxiety, and use it as motivation to find a solution.”
Inse wasn’t sure how to do that, but Curity encouraged him to try. “It might seem silly, but it works.”
Inse tried to laugh at himself, but it felt forced. “This isn’t working. I still don’t understand the problem.”
Curity reminded him of the third transformation. “That’s okay, Inse. Just focus on the voice of security. Believe in yourself and your ability to find a solution. You can do this.”
Inse took a deep breath and tried to shift his focus. He thought about how much he enjoyed other subjects, like science and history, and how he always did well in those classes. Maybe he was better at those subjects because he believed in himself.
Feeling a bit more confident, Inse decided to take action, which was the fourth transformation. He gathered his courage and asked his teacher for help.
“Excuse me, Ms. Johnson, could you explain this math problem to me?”
Ms. Johnson smiled kindly. “Of course, Inse. I’m happy to help.”
Inse was surprised at how easy it was to understand the problem once it was explained to him. He felt a sense of relief and gratitude towards his teacher.
Finally, Curity reminded Inse of the fifth transformation. “Remember, Inse, life is full of good and bad things. It’s normal to feel anxious or unsure sometimes. But if you befriend both inner voices, you’ll find balance and peace.”
Inse realized that he didn’t have to be perfect all the time. It was okay to ask for help, and it was okay to make mistakes. He felt grateful for his sister’s support and for the five transformations that helped him through his homework anxiety.
The next day, Inse felt more confident in class. He raised his hand and answered a question correctly. He even helped a classmate with a problem they were struggling with. Inse realized that by befriending both inner voices, he could do anything he set his mind to.
