Disclaimer: Sometimes I just feel crazy and introspective. Many years ago, I had a friend who called it Patti Mode. This is one of those days...
Years ago I learned, in advertising, if you want to get your point across, always site three examples. There is some truth that things happen in threes. And there are always at least three sides to any debate: Your side, their side and the truth.
To that end, I believe there are at least three ways we humans deal with the rocks we encounter in life; whether they're real or the metaphorical kind.
The First Kind of Rock Flipper:
You know them - they're the ones turning those rocks over and looking for the creepy crawlers hiding underneath. They just know if they flip that rock there will be a worm or snake hiding underneath. It will terrify them but they look anyway.
This applies to both actual rocks and the true person under their own rock. In their case, they're looking for the down and dirty; the truth behind the lies. Now, in both scenarios, these rock tippers fear what they will find, but they keep turning them over anyway.
Their motto:
The Second Kind of Rock Flipper:
Another type of rock tipper is actually looking for treasures underneath. They find all kinds of fun stuff buried from the rest of us. Unlike their conspiracy theory cousins, these folks believe there are wonders to be found if only we dig up or tip over enough rocks.
These folks are excited about what they might uncover. They look for hidden wonders. In nature, they find gems and fossils. In people, they discover hidden talents and things the rest of us overlook. Where others see a shy person, they dig deep enough to learn the person is just a really good listener - or a philosopher.
The Third Kind of Rock Person:
Finally, there are those who take a completely different approach to rocks. They simply refuse to flip them. They leave them alone and value the rock itself. They aren't naïve or easily fooled. They just know we all have things under our personal rocks we would prefer to keep hidden. And they're okay with that. They believe rocks are beautiful just as they are.
These folks either plant flowers around the rocks or marvel at that intrepid flower squeezing its way through the rock.
Another type of rock tipper is actually looking for treasures underneath. They find all kinds of fun stuff buried from the rest of us. Unlike their conspiracy theory cousins, these folks believe there are wonders to be found if only we dig up or tip over enough rocks.
These folks are excited about what they might uncover. They look for hidden wonders. In nature, they find gems and fossils. In people, they discover hidden talents and things the rest of us overlook. Where others see a shy person, they dig deep enough to learn the person is just a really good listener - or a philosopher.
The Third Kind of Rock Person:
Finally, there are those who take a completely different approach to rocks. They simply refuse to flip them. They leave them alone and value the rock itself. They aren't naïve or easily fooled. They just know we all have things under our personal rocks we would prefer to keep hidden. And they're okay with that. They believe rocks are beautiful just as they are.
These folks either plant flowers around the rocks or marvel at that intrepid flower squeezing its way through the rock.
I come from a long line of the first kind of rock flipper. It's an awful way to live - never believing people and wondering about their "true" motives. Always fearing what you'll find under that "rock." Because of the way I was raised, it's easy for me to fall into that mode.
I have been that rock tipper as well as the victim of one. Which is why I have spent the better part of my adult life trying to bury that part of me. I try to find the beauty in and around the rocks. Also, I don't want to know the things a person would rather keep hidden.
I think it's important to allow people to reinvent themselves. Look for the hidden treasure, just don't be blown away if the rock tips over on its own and there's a snake under it. Determine if it's venomous or not then react accordingly.
It's a battle I will wage till I'm under a rock myself.
No comments:
Post a Comment