Monday, June 28, 2010

two random men in my life



Have you ever known someone who you would get into an argument with, and tension will escalate to the point of no return, and not only that, but you'd never want to speak to that person again, never ever, even years later....never...Have you?
I think I have.
We met on the internet, then in person, then we had it great for about 8 months, love was in the air, and then in just 2 days together it all collapsed in the ugliest way. According to him I was a very negative person, pretentious, self-centered, looking down on people, rude and emotionless. He wondered how I could possibly have friends.
Well, I know I am not perfect, and I probably did a few things wrong during these two days. Nevertheless, to hear such judgment is harsh. But they say everyone is entitled to their opinion, so I faced the fact that I have no place in this man's life and moved on.
After a while I overcame the pain, but I could not stop wondering...how was it possible - we got along so well for eight months, and then in just two days something so radically off the charts took place?!
I let time do its healing magic for about two years, and then I decided to call this man again, for the good time's sake...to try to bridge the gap filled with questions, hoping I could learn something about people in general, or something about me, or just out of curiosity for human kind.
Well, within the first minute of our phone call I realized some gaps can't be bridged, some gaps will never be closed, and perhaps...they should stay that way. Let them be the lessons from which we learn and grow...and move on!
And so I did, deleting his name and number from my phone.

On the other hand, another man...a random man I see every Saturday on the flower market. He sells flowers. His flowers are just as good as everyone else's are, his prices are just as good as everyone else's are, but he always have less buyers around. And I don't feel the urge to buy from him either...not sure why.
Last Saturday I just stood at the market and watched...he would stand behind his flowers and shout 'Fresh flowers! 3 bunches for 5, 3 bunches for 5!' But as soon as a client gets closer, he would stop shouting, and just stand there still. Not saying a word, not encouraging the people to buy, not offering a suggestion, or just the casual small talk...it felt like he didn't have the communication bit going.
I decided to buy from him that day, I tried my handicapped-Dutch, I smiled a lot, I looked into his eyes, I tried to make a connection - a simple connection with another human being. And it worked! At least it seemed to me that his face got a bit brighter , even for that short time, he smiled and it felt good.
I don't think I will always buy my flowers from him, but on that day I decided to do it, for the sake of approching the ones that are probably most troubled and distant from the crowd. And as my Dutch gets better, I will try to chat him up and hear his story...

On that day I bought red peonies - I once read that according to Feng Shui, peony flowers bring love to one's life...and I hope they do, because once loved, we then easily spread love around...and everything falls into place.

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous3:02 AM

    I've been thinking somewhat about the first part of your post (the broken friendship). Very interesting story.

    What I think happened, is that you got a good connection on a lot of levels with this guy. At that time however, he might not have been able to criticize and honestly look at himself at the same time. It sounds like a one-sided lashing out.

    An emotionally mature person can make their boundaries somewhat bigger/smaller depending on the situation, but there must be something that can be gained. For instance, a long-lasting relationship. Or the idea that this person would do the same for us.

    So he crossed your boundaries and you decided that it was a good friendship, but not so good that you could make your boundaries somewhat bigger for this one time. So you said goodbye.

    What could happen when we meet such a person again, is that the click isn't there anymore. Or that it brings out a painful memory. If the last thing happens, you can sever that automatic response of meeting/feeling, but it takes some mental exercise. And perhaps it's time better spent on the people currently around you...

    God knows I've got some limping friendships in my past...

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  2. So true! Especially your second to last sentence. Thanks for your comment!

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