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Another Stage in the Evolution of My Life

I posted something yesterday. However, as I've thought about the circumstances that lead me to write that post, I felt that I needed to delete it. It just didn't convey the message that I was trying to express.

Let's just say that something happened this weekend that essentially empowered me and made me realize just how far I've come in my life. And how far I have yet to go.

What I've discovered is that one of my great strengths and weaknesses in life is the fact that I accept people as they are. I do. One of my dear friends told me this weekend that I have America's biggest shoulders.

I like this quality in me, but I also know it works to my detriment at times. I'm the master of line blurring. However, it's one thing to accept people as they are. It's quite another to let that be an excuse for someone to take advantage of and walk all over me.

Yes, that happens.

During the last few years, I've compiled a list of what behaviors are and are not acceptable to me. This list changes and evolves as I explore what I like and don't like in other people. At the moment, the list includes abusive language (in any form--no matter how innocuous), inauthentic behaviors, arguing with and refusing to accept my word, and anything that brings chaos into my life.

I'm using my body as a meter. If my skin crawls and sweats and just signals that something isn't right, I accept that it's not and walk away.

That sounds easy enough, but the reality is that it pains me sometimes to do that. Deep down, I really...really...REALLY want to let people be themselves, and I feel like walking away and saying something doesn't sit right with me robs them of that opportunity.

I want them to have the opportunity to just be. I suppose in some way, they still have that chance. It just doesn't have to be with me.

Comments

Christy said…
Exactly. It doesn't have to be you that they just be themselves with.
6:49 PM
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