I recently came across one of those quotes that makes you stop and reflect.
I was challenged to think about relationships, past and present.
We cannot live very long within any community, marriage, family, religious community, or genuine friendship without becoming aware of our faults and narrowness. We either begin to grow up, or we leave.
Ronald Rolheiser OMI, The Polished Stone, February 8, 1993, https://ronrolheiser.com/the-polished-stone
A Note of Wisdom
While reading I quickly scribbled the quote onto a post-it-note.
The note has moved around my desk multiple times over the past few months. Each time I found the yellow piece of paper I was reminded to think about my relationships.
The longer I have spent with these words the truer they appear to be.
I believe they express a deep wisdom that can help shape who we are. Help us to grow healthy communities.
The Relationship Challenge
Thinking back on my life there have been a number of relationships that challenged me. Relationships that, in one way or another, revealed weaknesses in my personality or a general lack of maturity on my part.
My first response to such moments of revelation was to react with a passionate enthusiasm to defend myself.
I was quick to point out how I was correct. I could show you how I was above reproach. Other people, or circumstances were doing me wrong.
A common protest was that people simply did not understand me. The fact that they had concerns, or expressed any doubt about me simply showed they were unable to appreciate what I had to offer.
I was like fine art. If you did not get it…well you simply did not have the “gift” to appreciate beautiful artwork.
Raising such a defense moved any focus away from me and onto other people. It was always easy to find a few people who agreed with me, or simply remained silent as I protested. [Read more…]
