DISPOSABLE RELATIONSHIPS

I have identified relationships with some of my immediate family members as "disposable relationships". Wanting to understand my feelings concerning these relationships and at the suggestion of another family member, I have decided to work it out through my journaling.

Before writing however, I felt sure that someone out there has addressed "disposable relationships" so I "Googled" the term. Immediately, I made a hit on a blog by the Ignorant Intellectual. The blog entry was precisely on target and asked the same questions that I have asked, discussed the same issues, and came to the same conclusions.

I wouldn’t attempt to restate Mr. Intellectual’s analysis because I couldn’t do it more eloquently or succinctly than he. His article precisely addresses the issues swirling about in my head but what about those in my heart?

HOW DO I COPE WITH KNOWING THAT I AM DISPOSABLE TO SOMEONE I LOVE?

Okay, you are thinking, this woman is in dire need of psychotherapy. That may be true but until I find myself on the shrink’s couch, I’ll just vent here for the entire world to see.

We live in an age of disposable diapers, razors, and eating utensils. Disposable items are convenient, healthier, easy to use, save time, and usually there are performance advantages. However, this phenomenon has not only taken over our material world but also our personal lives, as well.

Is it easier to dispose of another person just because they have become inconvenient? Is the other person consuming too much of YOUR time? Do they not perform or please as they once did? Is it healthier to throw away the old relationship and replace with a new and improved model? Is the other person damaged or obsolete?

There are just too many reasons for disposing of another person. Some are legitimate reasons, however, most are not.

In my situation, I believe I have been unfairly dumped and it’s no surprise that the other parties will not discuss it with me. So, I’m left to sort it out on my own. I may never fully comprehend why and how their minds and hearts can be so insensitive towards me but it does make me aware of how I should treat others who are important to me.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO TREAT PEOPLE AS DISPOSABLE OBJECTS. JUST REMEMBER THAT ONE MAN’S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN’S TREASURE.