Life seems to be filled with the idea of 'sides'. I don't mean the fun 'sides' like you would select in a restaurant; i.e. mashed potatoes with gravy, coleslaw, french fries, a salad, applesauce, dressing, etc. I'm referring to the 'sides' where opinion or position are in the forefront.
Take the Olympics, for instance. There is always petty grumbling about whose nation's athlete should have been awarded the gold medal and this year's games in Vancouver, BC are no exception. The current brouhaha is over the gold in Men's Figure Skating where the Russians are crying foul because their skater performed a 'quad' but received the Silver Medal and the American skater 'only' performed triples but earned the Gold Medal. This will probably not be the lone grumble heard during these Olympic games.
Other 'sides' we hear about are the sides in an argument, the other 'side' of the tracks, the other 'side' of the street, which 'side' your bread is buttered on, to name a few.
In my neighborhood, which side of the street your residence is on determines where your mailbox is located as well as how soon the snow melts off from your tiny driveway. I live on the shaded side of the street, whereas the units across from me have direct sunlight on their driveways and, therefore, their blacktops retain more heat and shed snow much more quickly than those on my 'side'.
Sides in an argument, disagreement or relationship can be pivotal in
determining outcomes or future arrangements. Friendships, partnerships and marriages can have their foundations altered or destroyed depending on how deeply entrenched each 'side' becomes in defending their point of view.
At times, each 'side' can have a skewed viewpoint, with both perspectives owning limitations and weaknesses but unwilling to take a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree view back at themselves. We see this scenario over and over again in politics and personal relationships. This unwillingness to change or acknowledge another's viewpoint usually leads to stalemates or total breakdowns in communication. When this happens, there are no 'winners' or 'losers', only firmly entrenched opinions and actions, incapable of flexibility, understanding or the remote possibility that someone else might have a better mousetrap.
It is at this stage of a deadlock that long showers, chocolate or dogs are the best solution for all involved. These solutions are non-invasive, non-threatening and totally self-indulgent.
What could be better than that when 'taking sides'?
Ancora imparo
