Madness or Sanity??

Cervantes asked: "which will you have: wise madness or foolish sanity?"

People who deal with rejction, ciriticism or feelings of being alone - either in their own experience or in their current, adult relationships - usually cope by making use of "wise madness." That is, it's easier for most folks to use:

1. the fantasy of thinking that things are better than they really are
2. the fantasy that things will somehow change in the future
3. constant activity of parties, physical exercise, socializing, cleaning the home and the list goes on . . .
4. not valuing feelings, emotions and personal insight
5. fusing themselves with another creating the feeling of being loved and oneness

and many other ways that help to avoid seeing and having to deal with how they think and feel about their lives.

But a few choose the path of "foolish sanity" by striving to deal with:

•  the disappointing
•  and sometimes the hurtful parts of their lives

 It may be "foolish" because it requires looking at what has been difficult and challenging to confront. But they are also choosing to live with more "sanity" than "madness" by wanting authentic love and authentic people in their lives. And they want to be authentic themselves, authentic:

1.  in the sense of being upfront, honest
2.  not self-centered
3.  and willing to do the give-and-take that strong, healthy people and relationships require.

It's something for all of us to think about,
Chandler Welch
drcwelch.com