Photo courtesy of askdeb.com
I couldn’t resist the headline, or opportunity to self-evaluate, which is why I clicked the link titled “What His Bad Habits Reveal.” Is there anything more exciting than spending a few minutes discovering the deeper meanings behind your shortcomings? I didn’t think so, either. (Cue sarcasm.) I’m not perfect after all, as much as I hate making mistakes or even admitting that mistakes are part of the human condition. But learning how to change your less-than-stellar traits is necessary for growth, right?
I expected the worst as I read the article on msn.com, and boy, did I get it. The story quotes Patrick Wanis, a human behavior expert who analyzes the habits and what they say about your poorly trained dog….er, significant other. Luckily, I don’t leave dishes in the sink (“thoughtless…not clean…not considerate”) or slurp my food (“just wants attention”). I do, however, bite my nails, an apparent indication of insecurity and inability of self-expression. Says Wanis, “It doesn’t really indicate hygiene issues; it talks more about psychological, mental, and emotional issues.”
Whoa, Wanis. I know I have my issues, but the occasional nibble on my fingers means I should be outfitted with a straitjacket? I don’t trim my toenails as often as I should–does that offset the psychological damage I’m incurring by those detrimental bites on my digits? Please advise.
The next one left me more perplexed. Wanis says procrastination is a sign of laziness. Procrastinators, like myself, apparently are people that aren’t dependable in times of need or “take on the really tough stuff.” I may wait until the last minute to accomplish many of my tasks, but they eventually get done–even the “really tough ones.” And I feel I’m more dependable than a box of Depends. Who are you to judge? You don’t even know me, Wanis!
OK, so maybe the tiny outburst I’m having on here means I’m still learning how to take constructive criticism. (Or maybe I do need that straightjacket.) The point is this: I’m a nail-biting procrastinator who cleans his dishes and doesn’t slurp his food. I’m all of that–the good mixed with the bad. And in my world, that’s OK.
You got a problem with that, Wanis?
THE ETERNAL OPTIMIST
As long as you don’t bite your toenails, we’re good.