Walking away

I just saw a quote that disturbed me, because it felt like laquer. Sure, it filled in cracks and looked nice, or made for a nice facade, like homes for sale in Tennessee, that have new vinal paneling placed over a faded paint job. It looked great and new while underneath a real wood exterior rotted away. This quote felt good it touted health would be achieved through simply walking away from things one did not like, and I have had to learn from experience that is not the right approach. It is true that at times a situation or person is toxic or harmful to our health, even physical exertion can feel painful, but avoiding the person or situation is like side stepping a mess on a pathway so that someone else can deal with it.

Although, I cannot suggest running  headlong into an undesirable situation; I do not condone walking away from it. I suggest making whatever alterations must be made to turn the situation around. True health can result, and though it is harder to repaint an entire home, and would appear better perhaps to simply cover it. In the long run, the effort will both be more honest and improve a situation for the future. I feel like that is what is needed in many situations rather than just walking away. This applies to many situations and people. I felt the need to say such because I naturally want to accept such a solution, but realize that it may not be the best long-term (eternal) solution.

I feel supported in this notion through these talks:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2002/09/choosing-and-being-the-right-spouse

https://youtu.be/sQ1yLFIEVNo

Everyone?

Yesterday, someone sat right beside me on a train. Honestly, I had to pretend to be having the conversation because I could not hear much of what was said, but a few discernable things piqued my interest. He said, "you don't Look like you are feeling fine." I started to think about the book 1984 and how the hero (Winston) says that looking a certain way is easy enough.

How did I appear to others?

I quickly answered any trace of unplacicity (readable on my face) was due to concern about learning to let go and trust my children. He said a whole lot, and I couldn't discern much beyond that it was very wise rhetoric and this guy was mentally challenged in someway and I ought to keep conversation very simple and surface level. Then, he said a thing I am still repeating in my head, " oh come on. Everyone rebels at some point." Truth is, on every level. I always and always had been a good drone (an obedient individual). I sort of defined myself as one who obeys or has learned to align my desires with those expected of me by others. I assumed this was survival. Oh great, now Darwin is added to the mix of thoughts generated by one thing some semi-sane stranger said on a train in downtown Salt Lake City.

If...

I have always been fascinated with the notion of if.... it's a part of life, no?

Well, I was listening to the Nickelback song "If Everyone Cared". I had a thought when the song was pontificating what life would be like if people truly cared, the part "like you and I" that made my thought raise an eyebrow.

Oh, if everyone truly cared there would be no divorce... I mean if a family mattered enough we would care enough to endure for the sake, right? We would just need to "swallow our pride". Ok. That part clicks, or resonates with other things I have accepted as true, but the whole " like you and I" thing still makes me think...