Some amusing perspectives on compromise.

Episode 9 Transcript

Have you ever compromised yourself?

I can think of many times that I have. 

I have compromised my health.  I have pushed myself to the limit and then some, to prove something, be someone who I thought people would admire, or, what was expected of me.

Everyone has their own limitations, and what is a high threshold for one person could be a little one for another. ..  and vice versa.  The thing is to know yourself, and not compromise.  It can be easier said than done, though, especially if you choose to go down the comparison track/route.  

Take for example when I am sick.  The one time I have a good excuse for resting and relaxing in order to heal, and I play it down, and behave like I am well.  I find it hard to rest when I know I need to .. why? It is the simplest and best way to get better, so why make it difficult to do?  I live in a house with many steps so I am used to going up and down a lot, never batting an eyelid.  When I’m sick, drained of energy, I get quickly reminded of how exhausting climbing them can be, a bit like climbing a steep hill on a hot day.   

Do you do this? Compromising who you are with who you THINK you’re expected to be? Yes! I’m guilty of that!  I have always been good at saying and doing the right things / the things expected of me.  Why is it so difficult to be my own authentic person? No matter who might like it or not?  More on that another time ..

When I am out on the road, I tend to try to accomplish as much as I can, making multiple stops, getting errands done ..  I come home drained, irritated, and in a way, cheated.  Is that the right word?  Perhaps I mean annoyed with myself for choosing to make that one last stop, that tips me over the edge.  I grudgingly cook dinner that night, and I’m in a bad mood for the rest of the evening.  

So Everything does not have to be done in one trip, and much of the time the errands are not urgent or time sensitive.  So picture this, I’m in town in the heat of the day, doing the errands, and then something pops into my head - isn’t it someone’s birthday 3 months down the line .. I stop and go off track to look at this store JUST WHILE I AM HERE .. and I get distracted with what was not even on my list in the first place.  The rest of the list I had made for that day is now null and void as I ramble on to find that gift.

So ..

Next time I won’t compromise : Here’s my list:

1. Don’t go down two flights of stairs to feed the cat at 9 pm if I’m exhausted 

2. Don’t make the Cookies for … (what are their names??)

3. Don’t think doing stuff for other people is more important than my stuff

4. Don’t Push myself to the limit just because that’s what women (or at least women without a 9-5 jobs ) are expected to do … in my mind’s eye

5. Don’t give others advice when I do exactly what I’m advising them not to do!!! 

Thanks for listening to Episode 9 of .. His Calm in My Storm!

Thank you to Stephen Lovell for the sound editing