Compromise is a Way of Life? Yeah Right!

 

Compromise is a Way of Life? Yeah Right!

Words: Toni Marshall

Compromise! Without this delicately balanced, emotional pressure valve humanity would literally fall apart. The world's population has now swollen to over six billion and science has clearly shown that the actions of every community in it's local environment does in fact have a tangible impact on this amazing planet we live on. In essence, we all have a personal relationship with our planet.
 
Relationships survive on compromise. Family, neighbours, work colleagues and life partners all challenge our space, time, freedoms and beliefs. Anyone in a long-term relationship will testify as to how two individuals soon become a blend of each others routines, habits and personalities partly due to a fusion of actions and emotion, but also largely as a result of daily compromise.
 
I watched with interest as the rugby world cup motivated whole communities to compromise their behaviours. Driven by the passion of the moment, or perhaps incessant marketing, normal behaviours were incredibly modified and so many of us compromised our usually safe sets of beliefs and behaviours.
Why else would we adorn our cars with nasty plastic flags, emblems and stickers? Would we normally purchase entire outfits of black, embellished only by silver stripes and ferns?
 
I smile broadly as I wonder just where all those symbols of patriotism have been stored. I started a list of occasions that we could again compromise our normality by covering ourselves in temporary tattoos and dress in highly flammable black nylon sports attire. Of course Waitangi Day was the obvious leader, but there is of course Black Fridays as a definite back up.