Being Different

In a single moment, amidst the music, the alcohol and the people milling all around, it came to me. For a fleeting second, the absolute understanding of a simple thought … “we are so different”.

Two different people in a relationship together is not necessarily a bad thing as far as I can see. In fact, you have to admit that there is something strangely romantic about it – boy and girl from opposite ends of the spectrum, odds stacked up against them, but they work through it all and live happily ever after. The stuff movies are made of! And really, all around us, there are couples that are seemingly so different in the eyes of the world but who have still somehow managed to make greatness out of their relationships. A rarity compared to those who have common ideas, life missions and character traits, I agree, but still, they are there.

So different isn’t bad, but it sure is harder. And that’s sometimes worrisome because the exhilaration of new things with someone so seemingly exciting eventually dies off. And when that happens, reality sets in and then it’s just all about effort. So, the question then becomes how long can the effort be sustained, and what happens when one of us gets tired?

I am reminded of the lyrics of one of my favourite songs…

"When the fire fades away
Most of everyday
Is full of tired excuses
But it's too hard to say
I wish it were simple
But we give up easily
You're close enough to see that
You're on the other side of the world to me"