"The problem here is a totalitarian uniformity, a cult-like mentality such that even allies are enemies if they fail to follow the Exact Party Line. " - Phyllis Chesler

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Coming Back To The Middle

Barbara (who's on blogging hiatus -- HURRY BACK PLEASE) asked me the other day:
"When did we stop treating the other person how we wanted to be treated rather than getting pissed at them for not treating us the way we wanted to be treated? "

I don't know! I only know that I felt very pressured to always do the right thing, say the right thing and be the right person all the time. And it was too much pressure and too exhausting.

Over the last few weeks however, my thoughts have evolved from hurt and anger to regret and compassion. When I ended the "affair" I did it in such a way that I basically slammed a cement door in his face, leaving no room for a better time to say necessary things. I took that opportunity away from myself.

Sometimes, some things are better left unsaid.

India Arie has lyrics that say:

Don't make no mind about falling down
‘Cause it's when you're in that valley
You can see both sides more clearly
Come back to the middle

I now see both sides more clearly.
Next time...

1 comment:

Perplexio said...

What Barbara is describing I think is currently what's causing the wide schism in our country between Liberals/Conservatives, Democrats/Republicans, Red States/Blue States, etc. etc.

I believe most of us Americans have political beliefs that fall somewhere in the middle but the irrational and stubborn extremes on both the left and right are taking away our voice(s).

If we can't even take the time to view and consider how others feel on a one-on-one basis, how can our country expect to close the schism between the right and left on the much larger scale? If we can't manage that on the micro/individual level how can we manage that on the macro/national level?