The Struggle Is Real
Co-dependence can get you in trouble and yet still make you a good neighbor. Last Friday as I headed out on my first walk with the poodle, I noticed that my neighbor had several envelopes and a flyer lying on the ground. They had been left by the recycle pick-up. Discarded paper fluttering to the ground. I bent over to retrieve them and give them another chance at recycling next week. As I reached for the flyer another neighbor sauntered up, bent over and then handed it to me. I smiled and said hello and exchanged pleasantries.
Then they brought up politics. In Arizona you do not want to engage in political conversations, especially in November with mid-terms undecided. I attempted several feints so that none of the “blows” of their political viewpoints could land. When asked about who I thought should run the world, I answered “Poodles. They are smart, lighthearted and like everyone.” Not wanting to be rude I stayed to long – Another co-dependent trait and one that I have seriously rethought and am in practice to not repeat. Let’s just say it did not end on an up note although I wished them a cheery farewell as I headed off in the opposite direction with my non-political poodle.
After that encounter, I again began to notice the myriad of overreaching, nose in other people’s business thoughts that race through my head like ticker tape. I now know that solving the dilemma of others has nothing to do with me and is not my “job,” yet my default setting is “fix it.”
Someone I know tangentially is missing some items in their home. I want to go help find them. Why? I have plenty of things missing in my own home or certainly things I have not seen in a long time that I might enjoy meeting again. This same person is going on a trip in December and is having trouble finding affordable pet sitting. It was all I could do not to offer to have the dog come stay here for a week!! I fought it off but must admit that the thought still floats around in my head, and I did give them several affordable options near their home.
In the end I have realized that I just like to help. It makes the world a bit brighter and easier and so why not?!! But I will be walking away from politics a bit faster.
