“Fatal Attraction” is the editor’s titillating title for an article (link below) that puts an analytic spin on something we’ve all seen: getting tired of a significant trait in your partner, a trait that once attracted you. A little story: You went to the store, you searched through all the steaks. You found one better than the others in every way. Even though this was not the usual steak you buy – it had a bone in it – you liked the bone because you know it will give the meat a richer flavor. Later pulling it out of the refrigerator, you’re surprised by the bone. You never bought a steak before with a bone in it. What were you thinking? You’re tempted to take the steak back to the store. But then you think of the conversation with the clerk and realize it will be difficult, probably impossible, to take the steak back. You’re going to have to say all sorts of bad things about the steak that you know aren’t true. Like “this steak is rotten.” But the steak isn’t rotten, it just has a bone in it. So the steak and the bone are staying. And the bone is always going to be in the steak. How do you deal with it? The article contains some pretty good advice. My contribution: ask yourself, are you going to accept the bone or try to change it? Try to change the bone? Good luck to you. The bone’s not gonna change. No, no, the only way to go: accept the bone! Love the bone! Work around the bone. Learn to cherish the bone! And most of all, when you find yourself disappointed or irritated or furious at the bone, lighten up a bit. The bone hasn’t done anything to you, the bone is just the bone you bought.
wishicouldstay 