I Like Doors

I don't like to "mess up." But I do. Mess up.
Sometimes I talk too much. Sometimes I am not a good listener ~ especially if I am mid-thought and writing. And especially if what I am writing is coming together in a way that lets me know it might just be meaningful to someone besides me.
Later on when I realize I have talked too much or listened too little, I feel bad about that. I always intend to do better next time.

I am pretty good at tuning things out. My husband says I have a high tolerance for annoyances. Without my realizing it (at first), he tested it a couple of days ago. He was amazed. I wasn't. I have been honing that skill for years.
People are interesting. I think one can learn something from anyone. If you care to. Usually I care to.
But I do have my limits on that one. Right now...I have a limit on someone. And to be honest, I'm not quite sure what to do about it.

I used to get these odd, back-handed compliments? a lot.
They usually went like this:
"You know,  (choose either one here; I've heard it in various ways) I didn't like you or I hated you, or I thought you were so conceited when I first met you. But now I really like you!"

Wow. Thanks. I think. You certainly know how to edify.

It's been a while since I got one of those. But several months ago I got another variation on the theme.

A woman told me I had offended her. I apologized. It had not been my intention to offend.
And then the truth was told regarding the offense.
It went something like this:

You know, I used to be like you. But now I have all these issues in my life. I'm jealous of you. (not a verbatim quote)

Ahhhhhh....if you wait for it, you'll hear the truth.

'Probably not jealous now.

So I'm left with a decision to make. A course of action. I have put it off. You understand why, considering the circumstances of the past several months.
But this thing is a wall to me. And I don't like walls. I like doors.

(photos by Linda Charlene.)