I like to compare life to a canvas….a work in progress of the next great masterpiece. Really, life is just a combination of moments that add color and dimension to one’s own journey. My canvas is far from a masterpiece, but I am learning to expand my vision and sometimes that can be painful to others. However, it isn’t up to me to make everyone feel comfortable. It isn’t like I am going to go up to certain individuals and say, “Hey. I am in the midst of change and I just wanted you to know. How can I make this more comfortable for you?” Yeah, no.
Recently, I was in a conversation with someone that I would call more than an acquaintance, but less than a friend. She is one of those people who can be warm one minute and cold the next. Truly, hard to keep up with and very exhausting. This particular encounter she was lukewarm. We chatted. You know, that really surface exchange where you rack your brain to figure out what to say, and then go to the universal topic of weather. Yes, that is where I was residing, except she turned it and went on a tangent. Have you ever been stuck listening to someone go on and on, then realize that they are indirectly referring to you? Well, this is what I experienced. It was a passive-aggressive extended editorial on my decisions regarding my oldest son. The delivery was smooth and sugar coated with a hint of bitterness. As I listened, it was clear that she is in fear. She is fearful of the future for her son. Later, I learned that she is actually following my footsteps in a certain area, which made the exchange even more baffling. So, while the highest form of flattery is imitation, I would have preferred a more honest and direct approach, but then again, that is me.
It is true that we can’t make everyone happy. Honestly, it really isn’t my job. Sometimes I feel like people make life this huge competition, which is funny because nobody is getting out alive, so why can’t we just stand down a bit? Remembering that realistic expectations of others will get me further down the path. People can’t give you what they don’t have. It is like going to the hardware store looking for a loaf of bread……you will always come out empty handed.
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