As my feet pounded the rocky climb I argued with myself, "Why am I upset over such an innocent remark?" My internal reasoning process decided that it was because my friend assumed that everyone in the world would assert her pronouncement of what the perfect weather should be. It was a closed ended exclamation.
Closed ended discussions begin with a statement, exclamation or a question --usually delivered with a strongly affirmative tone, such as, “Who
will you vote for in this election?”
Open ended statements and questions -- usually delivered without a
judgmental tone, such as, “What do you think of the candidates in the upcoming
election?”
Hence, this brief essay on
the perfect weather.
When someone comments, “I love this weather. It’s so perfect; the temperature is in the
60’s; the sun is out; there’s a crisp, refreshing wind,” I feel an argument
rising into my mouth.
Yes, I disagree. My
idea of perfect weather is hazy, hot, and humid. I love the heat, sun, and the imposed laziness,
such weather requires. But when I
examine my emotions, (after choking back a brutal retort, “Perfect weather for bacteria!”), it’s not the
words, per se, but the close ended statement, that I object to.
It’s an innocuous subject, the weather. Why do people have to pontificate their
preferences so positively!
I suppose, a better question would be, why do I react with
such vehemence to other people’s preferences?
I suppose the answer would be because of their reaction to my own
preference.
Am I driving you as crazy as I’m driving myself?
Maybe I’m just grouchy because I’m feeling "under the
weather"?
Whatever!
This ridiculous self dialogue broke that black cloud over my head. I started to see the sun, the happy faces of my fellow hikers, and I could appreciate my surroundings. Better, I was thankful for my life, and all that God has put in it.
