Grocery Store

Over the weekend, I was in the grocery store buying some last minute items for the anticipated annual Memorial Day BBQ. As I stood in the self check line scanning my few items, I noticed that there was a rotten apple core and a yogurt cup sitting in the bottom of the plastic bag I was putting my groceries in. How rude was it that someone decided to throw their trash away here? I was appalled and even considered not coming back to this particular grocery store. As I removed the dingy plastic bag and replaced it with the clean bag underneath, I begin to think about relationships. Many of us would like to walk into a relationship and know that the person we've met has no issues or major problems. Contrary to what we've been taught, searching for a relationship without issues or problems will never happen. Like the grocery bag, we all have baggage or issues. Each one of us. There is a flaw, shortcoming, indiscretion, and quirk that befalls each of us. There is no getting around it. What we need to be careful of is that we do not accept trash instead of baggage. Trash has an odor and affects everything around it. No matter how you much lysol you spray, the pungent odor of trash will overcome the cleanliness. Trash is another way of saying your "non negotiables". Recognize today what things in a relationship you can handle and what things you can not. You know yourself better than anyone. Write down on a piece of paper 5 things that you absolutely won't be able to live with. I'm not talking about futile, silly things like a person who has smelly feet or no sense of fashion. Those are both things that can be changed. Keep this list handy, so as you pursue a new relationship or rekindle an existing one; know if its worth staying or worth getting into by examining your list. Do yourself this favor and the other person. No one wants to waste time or have their time wasted.

JO