Some things people do drive us crazy. We have a choice on how to handle those things. We can allow them to make us hate the person, or we can let them be quirky little traits that cause that person to more loveable.
My wife and kids love me, in spite of how some things I do drive them crazy. And I love them, in spite of how some things they do drive me crazy. We’re not perfect, and we have a long way to go. And a few years ago, some of those things caused some rifts that had to be slowly and carefully repaired.
Of course some character traits push us too far and can be deal breakers. When the offending trait verges into the mental illness arena, sometimes it’s healthy to maintain a distance.
Today, I challenge you to turn around your thinking about that person’s character trait that drives you crazy. What have you got to lose?
Generally speaking, we tend to choose our friends based on things we have in common, basic character traits, personality traits, things like that. And I, for one, tend not to be friends with certain types of people, because they’re “just not my type.” But since my niece has been living with me while she attends college, I’ve been learning to get along with someone who I would not necessarily have chosen as a friend. She has many of the character and personality traits that I don’t really get along with. But since she’s family, I still love her and have to remind myself that I can’t just avoid her or drop her friendship. I need to and want to learn to appreciate her and have a good relationship with her. Of course, that doesn’t stop me from rejoicing when she goes home for a weekend!!
Totally agree about that kind of relationship, Deb! Family members can be harder to deal with when we don’t get along perfectly.