So here's the third and final (for now ;)) post in regards to the insurmountable false truths about relationships. I'd try to think of some sort of fanfare, but no one wants to read that anyways. SO. Anyways.
Let's talk about entitlement.
To pity.
To being grumpy.
To being mopey.
To letting yourself go a little bit.
To eating 5 pounds of chocolate or KFC, or chocolate covered KFC.
I kid. (Hopefully you all never do such a thing.)
[[False]] TRUTH: You are entitled to having bad days, to being less than perfect, to being human, to give less than 100%, to be grumpy, etc etc...
Come on. Admit it. No one should expect you to be perfect. We're only human. We all mess up. That means being lazy once and a while, not taking care of ourselves or our significant other once in a while, not being our best once in a while... it's fine. It's human everyone does it.
So to whoever thinks we need to be Pintrest dolls and guys 24/7 without a single day of dirt on the carpet, forgive me, but SHUT IT UP AND CLOSE THE DOOR.
...that was clean and to the point, right?
THE ACTUAL TRUTH: You are a flawed human being who isn't entitled to anything but death, but is granted saving grace by a gracious God. Live your life the 100% without a thought of quitting or giving less. Ever.
People are about to get up in arms, I can feel it. It's all good!
I want you to think about an athlete for a second. Maybe you know one. Maybe you are one. It's an analogy I relate to very well. An athlete that wants to be the best doesn't leave room in his/her heart for failure or quitting.
Will there be workouts that are so hard he/she will be forced to stop and rest? Will there be days he/she will want to sleep instead of train? Will there be days he/she will want to sit on the couch and eat and take naps all day instead? You bet. But a hardcore athlete doesn't plan for those times.
When hard times come up, you fight through it. You don't allow yourself to quit easily, and if you do falter, you don't like it. You don't settle. You get back up.
Am I making sense? As humans, we are sinful, messed up to the quadzillionth (yes, this word will one day be in Merriam Webster) degree, and born with the innate desire to do what's easy, what's sleazy, and what's queasy (sorry, it rhymed. Besides, think about McDonalds. There you go. Queasy).
We're entitled to death, not the right to get what we want.
In the context of relationships, what does this mean?
It means when you're tired and you'd rather not do that ice thing for the other person just because, DO IT.
It means when you feel entitled to get angry at the other person because they did something dumb, remember you're a sinner and deserve hell for just about every other thought that runs through your head.
Feel me?
And there are a quadzillion (there you go again) other examples. Fill in the blank. I'm not advocating being a pushover for the other person or being a macho-headed maniac comparing life to a session with your bros at the gym. Obviously, each situation needs to be analyzed in context.
However, before you spout off about being 'entitled', remember the other thing you are TRULY entitled to, the grace that was given to reverse your eternity, and how you have the chance every day to be the best you can for yourself and the other person.
So. Being entitled to things that may not be the best for you and your relationship?
ARGUMENT = INVALID.
Thank you for reading through all three parts! If you didn't and you're basking in unearned compliments, go back and read the other posts, you dilly!
But in all honesty, thank you. Comment away. Let's talk. Do you agree? Disagree?
I'm an advocate of optimism and higher standards. What about you?
