Sometimes making a success of my relationships is like trying to turn back the tide.

I have character defects, faults and flaws.  I can be viciously unkind.  Either by nature or due to my upbringing I tend towards being; antisocial, critical, egotistical, impatient, judgemental, opinionated, prideful, reckless, sarcastic, and uncharitable.  If you ask my Lady, she will like as not tell you there are a lot more imperfections and shortcomings about my psyche.

Two important things I am not are that I am neither tolerant nor understanding of others, up to and including my closest friend.  This tends to make for an angry and uncomfortable relationship, which would br destined to end sooner rather than later, and end very badly for all concerned.  The fall-out and collateral damage would not be pretty.

After much thought, meditation and soul-searching I therefore resolved to embark upon a major work of self-improvement.  As it goes, I have already been working on 3 important things for a while; being fit and active, eating a good diet, and really, really giving up the booze.  On the premise that Rome wasn’t built in a day, I am committed to working on just one more important amelioration of my persona, ego, super ego, and id.

Make the most of yourself…….  for that is all there is of you. ~ Ralf Waldo Emerson

This man will become more tolerant of others and much more understanding of my closest friend.  That’s not going to be so easy.  Self-improvement is something only the better among us even attempt with any determination.  Often we involve life-coaches, psychologists, psychiatrists, support groups, sponsors, partners, (that’s a usually a mistake), religion, inspirational books, videos….

Personally, I will be treading this hard path with the help of my ‘higher power’ ~ who just happens to be the embodiment of everything feminine.  The male part of me has so many negative macho traits that I need all the nurturing feminine help I can get.

I shall keep you appraised of my progress to becoming a better man.

After this, turning back the tide will be easy.

Pictures by jack collier

jackcollier7@talktalk.net