The Middle

         


          This one is going to be fairly short and sweet.  Its about being in "the middle."   Specifically choosing to be in the middle of all the drama going on around you.  This is how I see it.  
          The middle is an equally distant point from the extremes.  It is a central place or person; it is the center.  If you are a self centered, selfish kind of person then choosing to put yourself in the middle of something benefits mostly you.  Someone who chooses this center doesn't care too much about the real issue; they just want some kind of attention, good or bad, focused on them. 
          If you are a fixer then being in the middle can be harmful to you.  It is impossible to be in the middle and fix what is going on from one extreme to another.   This is a choice to not be centered.  In this situation you end up taking sides; usually just to make your life a little calmer.
          Then their is a healthy middle.  It is along the lines of being truley centered or being balanced.  You are able to make choices based on your own personal morals and values.  You are confident in your choices because you know that they bring balance. Its interesting when you choose this form of being in the middle because you are able to listen to both sides, be compassionate of both sides, understand both sides, but not take sides.  (By the way be wary of someone who insists that you take sides.)
          For instance, in our home the house rule is that everyone who enters our home treats each other and the surroundings with respect. We do this not only for each other, but because it becomes a nuetral zone of sorts for anyone and everyone who enters it. People listen to each other, we have debates and intellectual conversations (and sometimes not so intellectual conversations) on a multitude of things, and no one leaves feeling hurt. This is a boundary we have established, a personal moral, a value, and it keeps our marriage, family, and home (and everyone who comes into it) feeling centered. When someone disrespects this we make every attempt to explain what is acceptable behavior for our home. If they get it GREAT!! If not the door is not locked, just closed, and we hope that at some point they will get it.
          The Pith of the Matter here is when you don't take sides you are confident in your own personal choices.  You understand that your choices arn't right for everyone else.  You still like and respect people who have their own ideas and opinions.  It has to do with boundaries that are healthy in your life.  This is a true center. It is balance.

Hope this clears THAT up for someone who may be confused.   :)