Minesweeper......An idiot's guide to significant others

Disclaimer: Very disjointed post, this issue has flustered me over the last couple days so i decided to share enjoy :)

There's one sad truth in life I've found

While journeying east and west -

The only folks we really wound

Are those we love the best.

We flatter those we scarcely know,

We please the fleeting guest,

And deal full many a thoughtless blow

To those who love us best.

~Ella Wheeler Wilcox

People say life is a lot like checkers, I say it's more similar to the computer program entitled minesweeper. In my relationships with people, I've found that you always have to calculate your moves and weigh out the consequences for your actions fiercely.

In dealing with others, I thought it would be simple to just let things happen organically. To wit, basically treat others how you want to be treated and everything in the universe will work out to the good. In the past week, I've learned that this is not the case. I've learned that things that I deem unimportant and of non-worth can create serious issues with others in my life. In order to not give too much away, I'll try to introduce to you a hypothetical dialogue between Deborah and Jonathon.

Deborah: What did you have for breakfast last tuesday?

Jonathan: I have no idea, maybe some toast, possibly a scrambled egg.....

Deborah: (agitated) And you didn't think that I would want to know that?

Jonathan: I didn't think it was important, since you weren't here to cook it and we were on a breakfast hiatus, i didnt think it was a big deal

Deborah: Not a big deal, but i told you what I had for breakfast (voice beginning to crack), I mean, I'm not upset that you had breakfast, just that you didn't tell me. I don't think I can ever trust you again, you with held something this important from me. I feel lied to......

This conversation continues off and on for the better part of a week.

Deborah: I'm totally over it, and apologize for acting out so.......Dont you have something to say?

Jonathan: No, well, I apologize that this has upset you so.

Deborah: That's not good enough.

Jonathan: Well that's all i've got.

Deborah: Bye

(insert proverbial explosion icon)

Jonathan feels like absolute crap over this, and what he doesn't realize is that his relationship is now in limbo, just that quick. They went from blissful romance on the way down the aisle, and are now in relationship purgatory. How did this happen? Jonathan ignored a cardinal rule: You are always wrong, and once you decide you aren't, you must be prepared to deal with the consequences.

Lets try this scenario again:

D: What did you have for breakfast last week

J: I had eggs and toast last tuesday, then on wednesday I had applesauce and toast, and thursday I missed you too much to eat another bite.

D: Awwwwww

You see the difference?

Okay, I know the breakfast scenario is really wack, but apply it to something in your life that you think is insignificant to some one else. Let's say a past relationship....In today's society 9 out of 10 times if you are interested in someone, so are several other people. Unless you found them in a cave and this is the first time that they've been on the surface of the planet they probably have a past. Your job is accept that and the person, if you want to pursue a relationship with them. The way in which these situations are handled can be an indicator of future behaviors (i.e. if he/she is mean to pets, how would he/she treat your kids). If they blow up about this..........you never know.

It's a sad state of affairs, and now everything is so different.......