Why Can't We Get Along?

As children our parents or teachers try to teach us to get along. Sometimes as we grow up we find there are some individuals we just aren't going to get along with. One of the reasons school is important is because we learn to interact socially and we learn how to deal with individuals we don't like. We learn to give the teacher what they want in regard to handing in work, answering questions in class, and taking tests. It doesn't matter if we like the teacher or not, the grade is for us and it goes on our report card. (Home schoolers also are involved in clubs and activities that provide social interaction.) When we go into the workplace we may have a boss or a co worker or neighbor we don't like and we can't always switch jobs or move to avoid people we don't care for or don't care for us. We need to coexisit with all people where ever we are.

We carry these attitudes of trying to get along with others into our adult lives. Sometimes it is impossible. Too often we don't realize it is the other persons problem. Too often we don't realize that sometimes we have to avoid the individual or make changes in our lives to lessen the interaction. Unfortunately, many get frustrated, insulted and hurt that no matter what they do, they just can't find a way to get along. We feel bad and we wonder what ever did we do wrong, what ever can we do to fix it. Sometimes we need to just let it go, there may not be an answer at all.

For years I lived with this in my family. People were telling me I needed to get along with a particular relative. This person never addressed any issues with me but decided to ignore me for years at one point. No matter what I said, no one seemed to listen that this person would not deal with me. It was very frustrating to me as I loved this relative no matter what they did to me. I am a very forgiving person. I have been told that the observation of some, others not in the family, is that this person is so jealous of me and my life, that this is the root of it all.

My resolution is that this person is missing out on a great person, me. I realize that this person will probably never resolve anything with me and it is okay. I accept it.Through some events recently other family members have realized more of the situation between the two of us and have been kind to me as this person deliberately publicly and privately gravely insulted this group. For me, I was shocked and dismayed at this persons actions. The truth does come out, it may take years but it does. Enough years have gone by and I now realize I spent too much time being hurt and I was and am better off without interaction. I just wish I had realized this about two gallons of tears ago...

Sometimes we don't deserve the treatment others give us and sometimes we will never know why. Sometimes we just need to accept the situation and go on in life. Sometimes we need to realize it is their problem, not ours.