Well, that there art of compromise, it ain’t easy, I tell ya. But sometimes, you gotta bend a little, you know? Like that old willow tree in the wind, gotta sway or you’ll snap.
This whole compromise thing, it’s like when you and your neighbor are fightin’ over where the fence should go. Compromise is like sayin’, “Okay, you want it here, I want it there, let’s just put it in the middle.” Ain’t nobody gettin’ exactly what they want, but everyone gets somethin’, and you ain’t yellin’ at each other no more.
You see, life ain’t always gonna go your way. Sometimes, you want chicken for dinner, and your husband, bless his heart, wants beef. Now, you could fight about it till the cows come home, or you could say, “Fine, we’ll have beef tonight, but tomorrow, we’re havin’ chicken.” That there’s compromise.
And it ain’t just about food or fences. It’s about everything. Like when your grandkids want to stay up late watchin’ them moving pictures. You know they need their sleep, but they’re lookin’ at you with them big ol’ eyes. So, you say, “Alright, one more, but then it’s straight to bed.” You ain’t lettin’ them run wild, but you’re givin’ them a little somethin’ too.
- First, you gotta listen. I mean really listen, not just waitin’ for your turn to talk. Hear what the other person’s sayin’, even if you think they’re wronger than a three-legged dog.
- Second, you gotta figure out what’s important, and what you can let go of. Like, maybe you really want that fence a certain way, but is it worth fightin’ with your neighbor for the rest of your days?
- Third, you gotta be willin’ to give a little. You can’t always have your way, no sir. Sometimes, you gotta swallow your pride and say, “Okay, you win some, you lose some.”
Now, some folks, they think compromise is a bad word. They think it means you’re weak or somethin’. But I tell ya, it takes a strong person to compromise. It takes someone who’s willin’ to put their own wants aside for the good of everyone.
This compromise is important for relationships. If you love someone you need to do that. Just like when my Earl wanted that old beat-up truck, and I wanted a new washing machine. We couldn’t afford both, so we talked about it. I saw how much that truck meant to him, and he saw how much I needed that washer. We ended up gettin’ the washer, but we saved up and got him that truck later on. We both got somethin’ that matter to us.
It’s like plantin’ a garden. You gotta give the plants water and sunshine, but you also gotta pull the weeds. You gotta work together, you and the plants, to make somethin’ beautiful. Same goes for life. You gotta work together with the people around you, even when you don’t see eye to eye.
And here are some more tips for you, from me to you, on how to do this compromise:
- Talk it out. Don’t let things fester. If somethin’s botherin’ you, speak up. But do it nicely, now.
- Think about the other person’s feelings. Try to see things from their side, even if you don’t agree.
- Don’t be afraid to say you’re sorry. It ain’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength.
- Remember why you care about this person. Keep love in your mind.
This here art of compromise, it’s like bakin’ a pie. You gotta have the right ingredients, and you gotta mix ’em just right. You gotta be patient, and you gotta be willin’ to make a mess sometimes. But when it’s all said and done, you end up with somethin’ sweet and satisfyin’ that everyone can enjoy.
So, next time you find yourself in a disagreement, remember this old lady’s words. Compromise ain’t about givin’ up, it’s about findin’ a way to win together. It is the key to winning, trust me, I know it. And that’s somethin’ worth more than all the gold in the world. It is the key to building relationships, and good relationships is like a warm blanket. It keeps you warm and safe.
And remember, a little compromise goes a long way. It’s like a drop of oil in a rusty hinge. It makes everything move a little smoother. That’s my words to you. Hope you can use it, deary. Keep that in your head.
