Compromise.
Now that is really something.   It has a few different meanings, by definition.  Mostly, it is an agreement …. or even a settlement… of a dispute.  But the agreement is made by each side making concessions.    It is sort of a “middle state” which often requires modifications of a “something.”  Sort of like the two-headed llama in the Dr. Doolittle movie.  The Push Me – Pull Me thing…

And of course, you must have an ability to listen to two (or more) sides when something is in question.

Compromise is relative too.  It all depends how strongly you feel about the outcome.  If you are sharing an ice cream cone with someone, and trying to decide on the flavor,  “Fudge Nut Brownie Deluxe” may be what you REALLY want… but “Triple Peanut Butter Chocolate” will do just fine.  So THAT compromise was easy.  Now… let say you and yours….. are deciding on whether to buy a pick up truck OR a convertible.  And you haul around a lot of wood.  Well… the compromise becomes more weighted for you.

Tonight, Mary and I came to a compromise on a fairly big decision we’ve been working on here at the property.  We arrived at a pretty good agreement.  But…. when we couldn’t quite iron out every little detail, we decided to let it all rest, until… as Mary put it… “the dust settles.”  Now that is a good phrase.

“When the dust settles.”   Pretty wise advice in a LOT of cases.  Just let things be still for a while.  Let it all just sit where it is… and maybe we can draw funny pictures in the dust layer tomorrow.

But me oh my.  I am the Queen of Clean …. I have a heck of a time letting dust settle anywhere.  I sweep, and dust, and wipe off counters.  I like things neat and tidy.  No dusty dirt anywhere.

This carries over whenever I try to negotiate or compromise.  I like things “just so” and everything in their place.  I like to get things all buttoned up.

Yet… when it comes to compromise… it is often not possible to get things finalized.  Mary is really good at discussion, and solution-finding.  Me… I am like a bull in a china shop.  Especially when I feel strongly about the outcome.

But tonight, we are letting the dust settle.

I think compromise is a good thing.  And I have a lot to learn…. about compromise… a whole lot more.

As the old saying goes….. “Compromise is a lot like a Chihuahua in a cow field.”   I am not sure exactly what this means… but like I mentioned earlier…. I have a lot to learn.

“Learn the wisdom of compromise, for it is better to bend a little than to break”  — Jane Wells

“The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation.” — Bertrand Russell