Tip of the Week

Choose to Be a Low-Maintenance Person

 
Some people are high-maintenance.  They demand much.  They have a way of demanding and requiring much of other people.  High-maintenance people may demand much attention, much emotional energy, and a high level of financial resources.  They can be particular, insisting that things go a certain way or they just aren’t pleased.  Very often, in a family of five, much energy can be spent toward trying to satisfy the particular wants of one individual.  (Note: I do realize that for reasons beyond one’s control, a person can be high-maintenance.  One can be physically impaired and may need much attention and energy from other people. In this post, however, I am speaking of an attitude.)

 
I want to be a low-maintenance person.  Low-maintenance people are not demanding or insistent.  They choose to be happy and content in the situation even though it may not be ideal.  For instance, suppose you go to lunch with a friend and she suggests meeting at a certain restaurant.  You sense she really wants to go to that particular restaurant.  It is not exactly your favorite place or the place you would have chosen.  But that is okay.  You don’t make a big deal out of it.  You make the most of it because you realize that there is a larger purpose for getting together than just eating lunch.

 
As a low-maintenance person, you don’t have to always turn the attention in a conversation toward yourself.  Perhaps you’ve known people who have a way of shifting most any conversation toward themselves.  "That’s nothing!  You should have seen what happened to me."  They seem to be comfortable only when others are focused on them.

 
As a low-maintenance person, you can be someone who is easy to get along with.  Perhaps you know people who very regularly seem to be upset with their friends.   Yes, there are sometimes conflicts in friendships.  I’m not talking about typical conflicts and disagreements that are just a part of human relationships.  Instead, I am referring to people who demand tremendous emotional energy from anyone who is in relationship with them.

 
As a low-maintenance person, I can take the pressure off the relationship.  I’ve known marriages in which one person was so demanding that the other felt under constant pressure to somehow please him/her.  So, this person purchases items that they can not afford because the other person just couldn’t be "happy" with anything less.   

 
Finally, as a low-maintenance person, you have the opportunity to live with gratitude.  You can be thankful for anyone’s expression of kindness, love, or good will.
 

• Your dad bought tickets to the ball game.  No, you will not be in the best seats.  However, at least you get to go to the game.
• Your children bought you a gift at the store.  Yes, it is "different."  However, isn’t it wonderful that they would buy you a gift?
• You and your family sit down at the table to eat dinner.  No, your favorite rolls are not on the table.  But think — someone has spent a great deal of time preparing this food.
• Your friend just got a promotion at work.  Yes, he talked non-stop about the situation.  However, this is a big deal for him.  Couldn’t you just let this be his moment?

 
Now this might be worth thinking about this week.