I’ve worked hard my entire life to gain and maintain my independence. I’ve learned from personal experience and on multiple occasions that to depend even a little bit on another person or persons, is to forfeit your personal freedom. When someone offers you a gift, you’d better think long and hard before accepting it, since in many (if not most ) cases, your acceptance of said gift is the same as signing an invisible waiver to your personal rights—they gave you “X,” so you now owe them; and they can call that loan at any time and for any reason they deem appropriate whether you like it or not. Does that make me sound cynical? I fear so. At least to some degree. Or perhaps, at the very least, guarded . As a natural born peace-keeper, my growing up years were spent primarily in that purpose—to say, do, and be all things to all people and, above all else, make sure everyone was happy with me . However, as a teenager, I began to really think my own thoughts, have my own views, fe...
Why is it that people, in general, seem to have this all-consuming need to be right ? And why are they, in that incessant need, compelled to argue, fuss, fight, yell, scream, and bite in order to establish themselves as that one person who has it all together? Why does "being right" seem to always overshadow the whole concept of friendship, caring, and love? I honestly don't get it. I have ideas and beliefs. I have things that I feel so strongly about that I am willing to fight for them. And there are also a list of things I have ideas about but no strong conviction one way or another. But all of these ideas and thoughts, all of these beliefs, strong or otherwise, are no match for the love I have for my family and friends. In most cases, if one of my beliefs disagrees with that of someone I love, I will keep silent on that topic. If they bring up the topic, I am willing to state what I think and listen to what they have to say. I will not force my ideas down their throa...