It Takes Two!

Don’t let this get around, but I have two — let’s call them — “personality traits,” that on their own aren’t necessarily that terrible (I hope), but when combined and functioning in tandem, they can — at times — make my life rather dreadful. Even miserable.

The first? I take what I say I am going to do seriously. If I say I’ll bring the hot dogs to the picnic, I’ll bring ‘em! As well as the rolls and the condiments and the paper plates . . . and maybe some napkins and chips. Is anyone else bringing the beverages? Do you want me to come by early to start the grill and cook them, too? Chances are, if you tell me 5 p.m., I’ll get there at about 4:45, park around the corner and wait . . . just to make sure that I’m on time.

Actually, I’m not THAT obsessive, but you get the idea: I do what I say I’m going to do. Or at least I honestly try my best.

Please, don’t mistake this behavior as some altruistic streak. Somewhere, somehow in my life, keeping my word became a challenge to myself. What may have been promised because I thought you needed the help, only gets completed because a part of me is standing there snarling and barking like an over-exuberant buddy at the gym.

And now that you’re thinking, he’s lost it, gone over to the batting cage without a helmet one too many times . . . Uhm, that is where that “going batty” expression came from, right? No? Oh, well. What I’m getting at is you’re probably thinking, Doing what you say isn’t a BAD thing.

True. But remember the title: It Takes Two!

So, what’s the troublemaking trait? I, like many other people, have trouble saying, “no.” Actually, I have trouble saying, “yes,” too. Maybe, I have trouble making decisions? I’m not sure. Can I get back to you on that? But, I am certain — at least I think I am — that I am not the best at affirming the negative.

So, putting these traits twogether: If you ask me for a favor and you actually get me to say, “yes,” then I’m going to do it . . . even if I don’t really want to. Even if it makes me miserable.

Comprende?

Wait! There’s more! Please note the previous “— at times —” loophole at the beginning of this blog. Agreeing to things I was only half-sure I wanted to do can certainly make for some unpleasantries in life, however, it can also lead to some adventures that I never would have experienced if I hadn’t said, “Uhm, okay, sure, whatever.”

I know in this virtual day and age, just saying you are going to do something usually counts for doing it. But don’t let it. Get up off that couch. Toil a little. Really do something that you only said, “yes,” to in order to get someone off your back. It may make you want to kick a teddy bear down the steps, but then again, it may take you on a marvelous adventure you could have never imagined.