What's the Matter with Gray?

   There is very little comfort in the world today with gray area. Everything has to be black or white. One's life must all fit into a nice neat little box. If it doesn't, people blame you, and your lack of decision making skills, or whatever your fault is that week. We so dearly like to organize things, and put them in their "proper" place (when in doubt, look at the organizing section of a chain store, and count the number of ways you can store your shoes.) We are at loss about what to do if we can't make something from our life or relationships fit into a box. (Imagine that: Something as diverse, and fluid as life not fitting into a box...) It makes us uncomfortable. What many people miss though, is that when you are outside of your box, dealing with that discomfort, THAT is when growth happens.

   You hear so much about compromise being the answer to relationships, politics, or whatever, but very little actual follow through. Walking the talk as it were. A person is supposed to have a set opinion, on whatever the topic is, and they are expected to stick to it. If you happen to say "well I don't actually know. I'm learning more about it before I make my decision," it blows people's minds! It really shouldn't since you always hear about making an informed decision, but it does.

   This really makes me wonder if people are listening to what they're saying. Sometimes, I'm inclined to say "no." Sometimes "yes." The real question is, how do you deal with that "gray" area, and the people you have decided to put there? Do they not exist? Do you re-categorize them to get rid of the gray altogether? Do you just leave it be, and not rock the boat?

   Maybe if we got more comfortable with the phrase: "I don't know (and I'm okay with that)" it wouldn't be so hard to wrap our minds around something when it doesn't fit into our preconceptions.