On Difficult People

I heard an interesting comment on TV the other day. A psychologist was being interviewed about the stress of dealing with some of one's difficult relatives and friends on Thanksgiving when everybody gets together.

She said, "Remember, they will be the SAME THIS year as they were LAST year! People do not change considerably from year to year. So expect nothing new from difficult people."

As the interview progressed the psychologist said, "What aggravated you last year, will aggravate you again this year."

How true this is. Although it is nice to see those we love or to renew friendships, relationships, or family ties -- at least from time to time or season to season, it comes to mind that we do not necessarily have to like these people! Deal with them, yes. Like them? No.

Can we actually love someone, but not like them? Yes, it is possible to love someone, but not like them. It may be difficult, but not impossible. Let's face it, folks. Some people are so disagreeable and marked by such an ill temper that they are forever in a state of being at variance with others.

A friend whom I admire very much puts it like this: "Make up your mind whether you can put up with the same problems as last time. If you can't, then bow out. Find yourself a more agreeable group of people. Go and bring pleasure to some shut-ins. Forget about your family. Create your own from people who are not receiving love which you could give them." Isn't that remarkable?

Well, you get the idea. I could multiply my thoughts and ramble on and on, but that would surely be asking to be labeled as that to which I have alluded -- a difficult person.