COMPROMISE...not Always!

I am no expert but as an octogenarian, it is pretty obvious that everything I have experienced in life has changed and will continue to do so. My aging body is a constant reminder. If it did not change I would still be a baby! If we don't change we die. It is said that even our universe is perpetually changing. As long ago as 500 BCE the Greek philosopher Heraclitus thought the same thing.

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But it's not just our bodies but everything - love, identity, ideas, beliefs, dreams, and hopes. Having said that, I realize that any observation I make is that of a senior citizen. Perhaps what I think, as a product of my mind, is not a true assessment of the actual facts. Have I changed more, or less, than the interchange I am observing?

 It appears to me that the contrasts claiming my attention are becoming more frequent and demanding! Even on the personal level, where compromise should work, there seems to be an unwillingness to reach a happy medium and do what is best for all concerned.

But in today's world, compromise is often a simplistic solution. We now live  in a multi-cultural society. When other values, religious beliefs, history, cultural differences, customs, and experiences are involved, compromise and dialogue will not cut it. At the same time, we have to share our life with some who  are insensitive, who keep steering the conversation back to themselves, who are narcissistic, lack empathy or are constantly looking for compliments, be it the negative thinker, or the obnoxious neighbour. Compromise becomes a dirty word!

Most of us learned at an early age that we are all different. That's a good thing. What I am learning to improve on is respect for those differences. Just because someone is dissimilar or distinct is not a reason to dislike them! Because someone is smarter, has a different skin tone, is more talented, richer, younger, or has stronger opinions, doesn't mean I will allow them to threaten my self-esteem or the way I want to interact with others. I have learned that some can be mean and hurt others on purpose. Apparently they do this to feel better about themselves! They can go and fish in another pond as far as I'm concerned!  I will ask them why they are so upset and what have I done to threaten them? So I say I am sorry and leave it at that. Knee-jerk reactions never worked for me and I have no need to 'win' every encounter.

If there is a chance to have a good discussion, to learn new things and to share ideas and beliefs without threatening or being threatened, I'm raring to go. Bring on the compromise!

I keep remembering Anthony Doerr's quote from The Light We Cannot See.

"Open your eyes, and see what you can see with them before they close forever."

And that's Dick's View of the World this Week

Did you know?  
In the United States 20% of families control 89% of the country's wealth making it one of the most unequal countries in the world, according to Bloomberg Business  Jan. 2016.