It Ain’t Easy
“For every complex problem, there is an easy answer, and it is wrong.”
(H.L. Mencken)
Giving advice for someone else’s actions is among the easiest things to do in the world. And normally what we prescribe for that someone else to do is remarkably easy as well.
- “Well, you know, all you have to do is ___________.”
- “If that happened to me, I would just ___________.”
- “If the government would just ____________, we could fix this whole mess.”
Too bad none of this works. First of all, no one likes unsolicited advice (ever enjoy someone coming up to you with some free parenting correction?) Secondly, no complex, ongoing problem can be solved by someone outside the system lobbing easy fixes into the mix.
All next week, we’re gonna take a look at the most common of these easy, unhelpful suggestions. In particular, we’re going to list the “5 Worst Pieces of Relationship Advice Ever.” No doubt you’ve heard all of them, and maybe even delivered them yourself (I know I have in the past, unfortunately). I’ve already pre-written these five Daily Pauses, since I’ll be too full of pizza and gelato while visiting our daughter in Italy all week. But in the meantime, If you’d like to harbor a guess, I’d love to hear your ideas about what these horrible pieces of advice might be. Just reply to this email if you like.
Peace begins with pause,
One thought on “It Ain’t Easy”
I can’t believe your daughter is already grown. I was just introduced to you and your book 3 weeks ago. Your material is amazing and I wish I had had it 32 years ago. I lost a son to suicide 10 years ago and now have a daughter who is loosing her daughter because of drugs. All related to my parenting or better yet, lack of. I am hoping I might be able to be a better grandparent tho with the help of your expertise.
Thank you for thinking of others in your choice of careers.