Another secret to a successful marriage is a certain amount of apathy. Apathy usually gets a bad rap. One of the definitions of apathy is a lack of interest or concern. Apathy can be a key to a successful marriage if we stretch a point: You don’t need to be concerned about everything.
Some people seem to go through life convinced there are three ways to do anything: the right way, the wrong way, and my way (only two, really, since my way is the right way).
Damage to a marriage comes when one spouse is constantly correcting the other regarding the right way (i.e. “my way”) for every little thing that comes along.
They believe there is a right way to load the dishwasher, mow the lawn, check the kid’s homework, and brew the morning coffee.
I’m convinced one of the reasons my wife and I have a good marriage, is that there are large areas of life we’re not concerned about. A right way to load the dishwasher? Hey… as long as the dishes get clean, it really doesn’t matter. A right way to mow the lawn? My goal is to not have the worst looking lawn on the block (I did have one neighbor who made that an easy goal to achieve, but he moved and now we have to work a little harder). Where to eat? I’m easy. The right way to brew coffee? Okay, you’ve got me there; but the Blonde doesn’t drink coffee so it’s not really an issue.
If you’re having trouble with the word apathy, then think of it as flexibility. Or, wisdom in picking ones’ battles. Or, being easy-going.
Whatever; I’m flexible.
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