In case you looked at the picture before reading this, no I did not interview my cat, although my guest would have actually enjoyed that. In today's episode I had a conversation with my wife, Tiana (who requested our cat Damian be the picture for this episode). Tiana and I have known each other since 7th grade and we've been married for 11 years. One of the reasons I fell in love with her is because of how much she values "being nice and polite." She is and always has been one of the most genuine, polite people I know. But that didn't stop me from questioning and probing it throughout the episode. 

Tiana falls into the category of guest that takes a very simple approach to life. Her life has not been easy by any means. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at 18 years old and it's taken away a lot from her (e.g., her ability to walk, to remember things, to have control over her own body, and lots more). The thing it has not taken away though is her absolute belief that being nice to people is the right thing to do. It feels good and it feels right, so it is as simple as that. She doesn't question it, she doesn't consider other possibilities; she believes it with zero doubt. And she may be right. But for some reason I can't help but question it. It seems too simple in a world that is far too complex and nuanced. So we spent a lot of the episode exploring her approach and seeing if it does actually make sense.

After we finished, I was thinking about our discussion and couldn't help but wonder if maybe I struggle to accept her simple approach/value because I don't naturally feel that way. I appreciate the beauty of it, I aspire to want have the same value, but it's not the reality for me. Therefore I want to believe it is more complicated so that I can feel better about my self? Or maybe this is just evidence of me making things more complicated than they need to be? Either way, I really enjoyed this episode and hope you do too.