About Giving Up On People

Post 1271:

            I love Thanksgiving. Had a good one this year. My family is chill for the most part. The kids are great and the adults are tired and hungry and funny and don’t have the energy to get into any heated arguments or debates. I like to think that we judge each other just enough. No, judging is bad. Says that in the Bible. So we don’t judge. We simply know each other and more or less accept the good with the bad.

            I guess if we had some sort of nutjob ex-con drug addict derelict for a sibling or a weird uncle it would be a different story. Thankfully, none of that.

            It’s interesting to think about what my brother and sister and their spouses could bring up about me, though. There’s a long list of flaws and they could dig their claws in if they so desired. I’m the closest thing to a black sheep that we’ve got.

            Not once did they talk about my weird job or my eccentric behavior or the fact that I don’t come around enough. Maybe it was said but I didn’t hear a thing. And this is because they are well-adjusted good people that know when it’s best to just give up on me.

            That sounds bad. And yet I mean it in the best possible way. They’ve looked at the numbers and statistics, and the fact that I can be a total knucklehead gets brushed over because I’m not asking anyone for money or a place to stay. The die has been cast in their eyes. No sense trying to change me. People tried for years to no avail.

            I wish we could give up on people quicker. I don’t mean apathy. If someone is really doing something wrong or truly needs help, get after it. But as far as the quirks and the little disagreements and the personal lifestyle choices, maybe let it go. Enjoy the time you have with the people in your life as the people they are and not the people you want them to be. Give up on them. And then have some beers and kick it. We’re never going to see the world the same, anyway. Might as well enjoy the differences. And don’t give up on yourself. Because that’s just sad and pathetic. I only do it once or twice a week. Cheers and see you after.