Awkward Conversations

It is an amazing thing to grow up . . .

To find yourself with different values from your parents and teachers of childhood. . .

To find yourself with different values from those you held in high esteem . . .

To outgrow your mentors . . .

To find bonds of friendship shifting as your life aspirations change.

But, even beyond all of this, what is even weirder is to have conversations with people with people with whom you once were so similar, only to find that as time has past you think completely differently about the world, life's purposes and what is most important. I call this awkward.

You don't want to hurt feelings. You want to be respectful. Yet, you want to honestly reflect what you have come to know as truth. And, maybe all at the same time, you don't want friendship to end as a result of different points of view.

How does this balancing act occur? How can a person be respectful and truthful at the same time?

I have to admit, I usually go for the respect more than the truth. And, I go home feeling as if I've cheated myself just a little.

But, I've retained a friend. And, I've shown that diversity does not always mean division.

What is best? Nothing seems perfect. I'm still not sure.

If I am a constant work in progress, so are those around me. All I know is this: life is always going to be full of awkward conversations. But, they are conversations after all and talk is good!