April 23, 2009
On Drama
Some random disconnected thoughts that I just need to get out of my head so that I can sleep:
I teach high school. There’s a fair amount of drama involved on all sides. I think I’m good at what I do because, quite honestly, I avoid the drama. I’m willing to listen to kids when they rant and complain about their friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, enemies, teachers, parents, whatever. I am not, however, willing to take sides or offer advice. I’m pretty insecure about my own advice-giving skills, so I stay out of that. And I learned a great lesson many years ago when going through my own personal trauma about the value of having people close to you who didn’t take sides, especially when they’re only hearing one part of the story.
I’ve been blogstalking someone for several years. I generally like what this person has to write, and like being able to look in on their life. But I’m sensing a development which is leaving me uncomfortable, especially since I know I’m only hearing one part of the story. I want to be able to stand up and yell, “Yeah! You’re so right! He is being a total ass!” But I can’t, because I don’t know the whole story. And I’m reading about things like X used to pull with me, when he had a guilty conscience and was planning to leave me, but I didn’t know it yet. And that’s shitty.
And others are reading this drama, fueling the fire, getting irate and defending the behavior, but also getting defensive. This is why I avoid the drama in general, because it can’t lead anywhere good. And I feel guilty, because I’m reading bits about this person’s LIFE, sneaking peaks, yet gawking like it’s the latest suspense thriller. But the suspense IS someone’s life, and I feel terribly guilty about the gawking. But I still can’t turn away.
I would love to give this person (and several others involved) my opinion and share the parallels I see from my own past, but, really, I DO NOT want to get involved in Other People’s Drama.
Hit Publish or not? Eh, what the hell.
Jess said,
April 24, 2009 at 10:53 am
Drama = no good! After what’s been happening in my house for the past month, I wish every day that I could go back in time and eliminate the drama. Dealing with other people’s drama is even worse. My advise, avoid at all costs!