I'll start with my first thoughts, if only b/c they're so amusing and I love a good story...oh wait, I love telling a good story...or hearing one? Dunno. When you mentioned that you rarely meet anyone who shares, my initial thought was I encounter the opposite, why is that? I keep a box of tissues next to my PC for the passerby who will stop in and just need a good cry! I think I know the intimate details of all my friends. Truth be told, I'd be offended if they didn't share so I'm not complaining! That wasn't a good story though was it? Sorry, I'm definitely in my joking sort of "must have a good time or die" mood. This weekend will prove interesting.
I digress from the religious discussion which at this point is certainly interesting. Perhaps at the heart of it is the fact that I've been down this road many times and even have a miserably failed romantic relationship due to it. So, I must admit that reading your very strong take (it seemed stronger than some), had me questioning middle ground. Here's the thing...religion doesn't always matter when it comes to friendship (my best friend is Hindu -- u could argue it's a religion but pantheism and monotheism aren't the same) but it has mattered a lot in my romances. Since you're not offering romance, it's definitely possible to forge a friendship -- I'm not sure I can guarantee more but then again you're not offering more, how presumptuous of me!
But, let's remove the faith thing for a second though b/c it brought me to an interesting observation about myself. I avoid differences yet I see the need in highlighting the differences and the flaw in my stance to avoid them. There's no argument there.
So to conclude, you've highlighted a prevalent flaw in my character and I'm thankful. No worries, you're the 3rd person to highlight it so I really need to pay attention. I'll begin fixing it through prayer. While finding the middle ground in the faith issue might prove an insurmountable challenge b/c we're at opposite ends of it, there's middle ground in terms of disposition. Perhaps had you known that I shirk from blunt honesty you could've been honest but more diplomatic? I think I misused the word filter. I didn't mean not to say what you have to say; rather to say it a little more softly b/c I really, really love the God I serve and I might be hurt if someone doesn't love Him the way I do. I get why others don't love Him and accept it but for whatever stupid reason - and it's stupid, it still hurts. Mitigating the damages can be helpful. And you guessed it, I'd be offended if someone doesn't like my favorite restaurant too! I appreciate diplomacy but tend to shut down with blunt honesty. With bluntness I just can't let the person in and I've tried. I've learned this through the men I've dated. Heck, I've only learned from the men I've dated b/c they're the only ones who've been honest with me! Actually that's not true. My boss is excellent at delivering positive and negative feedback in a form that I can accept. On my end, I have to work on allowing people to be honest and not taking it too personally nor relating it to some other instance that happened. I also need to learn to respect differences.
Of course these conversations have proved enlightening. I've discovered a possibility of why people share with me and also came to understand a scripture that's been mysterious for several years now. Thanks! So, when all is said and done, I welcome your thoughts & will try my best not to be overly sensitive about them. I'm happy to discuss my faith, I just hesitate to argue over it, if that makes sense. But then again, I hate to debate anything. But perhaps knowing my flaw, you understand a little more as to why? But the discovery of why people tell me so much and this scripture is fascinating. Thanks again!
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