TODAY’s CHALLENGE:
Finding a way to champion people planning a bowling night…..without actually committing to bowling myself. Sounds easy.
HONESTY is a good place to start.
“I have a sensitive shoulder
that at one time underwent a lot of treatment
and I don’t want to aggravate it.”
But I know how this goes.
“Well, just come anyway.”
And I will,
because I am FOR the greater purpose
of getting better acquainted.
But it will be an evening of endless
“Aw, c’mon.”
“Aw, c’mon. Are you S-U-R-E you don’t want to bowl?”
“Aw, c’mon. Just try it.”
“Aw, c’mon. I feel so bad, all of us bowling and you just sitting there.”
It is exhausting
when you tell people the truth
about what causes you pain
and they will not accept it.
Well,
true to form,
I’ve spun the whole thing out before any of it has happened,
and have not allowed for a happy outcome,
but I will pull myself back from the edge by 6:30
and know exactly how to pull it off.
“I prefer not to bowl, but would love to go along and be with all of you, if you don’t mind that I’m not bowling.”
They will accept it when I say it,
but will they accept it on bowling night?
Oh, I wonder how it all turned out. I hope you write the next chapter!
The bowling discussion never came up! Too much other stuff going on. This means it will circle back around another week. I hope I am not blindsided by it. I should memorize my response and keep practicing it.
I would say, if it does come up, “I really wish I could, but I can’t.”
“Aw c’mon.”
“Wish I could.”
“Aw, give it a try?”
“Are you trying to do me actual bodily harm?”
Of course I thought about the second message of people who ignore you when you say you hurt. I have been guilty of that.