I Can't Let Go

For a long time, I've been slightly proud of the fact that for the most part, I do accept people the way they are. This is because I believe extremely in respecting everyone's right to make their own choices and/or mistakes. Of course, I am human and thus, biased, so I will toss in my 2 cents (a nickel, even) often enough. And even though there are flaws that I grow to see in people around me, I learn to accept them, because it is part of who they are. A person without flaws would just be a boring person. Honestly, who am I to request people change their ways just to suit me? I am positive I have just as many annoying ticks that bug people. In that way, I'm content to live and let live.

It bothers me, realizing recently, that I can't let go of some people's "quirks"...whether because these very "quirks" fly in the face of my principles or because they crush my values and beliefs into nothingness. Maybe both. I keep asking myself if I will truly ever be able to accept these people as they are because this is their package and I should respect it. But, somehow, I feel that there must be a resolution and a mutual compromise, or I will always be at a standstill. One of us will always have to give in, then feeling resentful for it. The other, even having "won" the principle contest, will feel like s/he's lost something, even if it's that intangible thing. How do two people, at complete opposite spectrums, come to agreement? Is it even possible?

One can hope...