I HATE arguing.  Let it be known.

Luckily I married a wonderful man who generally doesn't care for it either - or at least he doesn't usually argue with me.  :)  That isn't to say that I always "win."  Oh, to the contrary.  One of the reasons I married Greg is because I knew he wouldn't be afraid to argue with me if he felt strongly - or even tell me 'no' - which I must say is difficult to hear.  However, I respect him all the more for it.

However, I often feel that my need for folks to get along with each other and NOT debate something to the "nth" degree, often puts me at a disadvantage.  I have opinions that I often do not express as I want to avoid the argument that will surely arise from another person.  But, then, if I don't say anything, then I feel like I am not really participating.  Those who argue certainly don't care if I argue with them - they see it as a sport.  While I loathe what they refer to as 'banter', they seem to draw energy from it.

So frustrating for me.  

Recently, politics have been quite the hot topic.  I don't really like politics and I try to avoid them if possible.  But they effect me whether I acknowledge them or not.  I have feelings - sometimes strong feelings - about them.  It is hard to not be swept up into the storm of flying words.  As much as I hate that storm, I feel like if I don't participate, then I am not standing up for what I believe is right. Especially since, those things will effect my life - and possibly those who come after me. But then again, how much does it matter to Washington what I think - how I feel.  It doesn't, right?  So why get upset about it?  I guess because I feel helpless when things don't go the way I think they should.  My life changes based on what those on Capital Hill choose to pass or reject.  As many folks wrote yesterday - that is part of living in a democracy.  Sometimes it works for you and sometimes against you.

If I don't stand up for things I think are right, I am truly not participating.  However, if I choose to take a stand, then all those who oppose get to argue with me.  That is a fair, but vicious cycle.  :)  I suppose the best answer to to agree to disagree.  To disengage with those who find arguing a sport. 

I don't want to be complacent, but I don't want to fight about it.  Is that so much to ask?  :)