Are you a person who doesn’t like to read ALL the directions to a game and you just want to learn as you go? I am. Sometimes I just feel like it’s too much to absorb at once. There are too many rules to follow. I’d rather just stick with the attitude of curiosity, see how the game plays out, than feel frustrated with the idea of understanding it all. Interestingly, this isn’t how many of us approach other aspects of our lives. We NEED to know the exact way to go about living and if we start to get frustrated….well, that’s when the real trouble starts.
Obedience. We love it! Obedient people are easy to get along with, helpful, and generally pleasant to be around. Obedience is an emotional gift that some people are born with by nature. Historically however, the parent/child relationship model we’ve been working from is to nurture obedience too. …And there is a problem that comes with being JUST obedient….it’s called the tank of resentment! So how does obedience affect our view on life? How does it affect our personality? What kind of effect does obedience have on our relationships?
We are currently in what I call the “cultural and generational collision”. When I was a kid (I’m almost 42), and certainly when you go further back in time, children did as they were told. They followed the rules! Children were “seen and not heard” and the old adage was “spare the rod, spoil the child”. Obedience was consciously taught in the home, schools, and through organized religion. Many generations later, we are coming to learn the downside of this misinterpreted philosophy and are experiencing the repercussions of this type of living. Yet, we still have not defined how to approach life and all of our relationships from a more balanced approached.
Balance. There are other terms we keep throwing around like organic, healthy, holistic, etc. But what we really want to move towards is balanced living. Balanced living cannot be judged based on a particular food you eat, whether you are being rational at the moment, or if we are completely “whole” within our relationships all the time. Although we cognitively understand this concept, we are all conditioned to live based on obedience. And guess what? The human race is collectively sick of being obedient! This is evident just by watching pop culture TV, listening to the radio, or watching the dreadful news. The new norms and values to life are blurry at best. Childhood and adult emotional disorders, mental illness, divorce, addictions of all kinds (food, drugs, alcohol), avoidance behavior (work a-holics, exercise a-holics, shop a-holics…), and disconnected relationships are the fabric of our lives.
Balanced living is a continuum. Balance is a moment in time when everything seems to be falling exactly in line with what we deem to be perfect (a.k.a.)… A peak moment! For every other moment, we are either left or right of center! To live a balanced life, you have to be aware of what’s really important to you and who it involves, yet still find an appreciation and value for all else that you would prefer to be different.
So how does obedience affect our view on life?
How does it affect our personality?
What kind of effect does obedience have on our relationships?
Approaching life from just the attitude of obedience will cause you to be marginalized….ignored! As a kid, you will be loved and valued by your parents and teachers, but you will be tormented by your peers. As an adult, your voice will not be heard in your relationships and you will start to lose value in yourself. You will continue to only listen and follow directions and you won’t be able to make decisions! Human nature dictates that we need to know what someone stands for. So, if you don’t speak up and use your voice when needed, someone else will use theirs for you!
If you are obedient by nature, here’s some pointing towards growing into the whole YOU when in relationship:
If you are a kid or growing young adult:
- Stand up for yourself on the playground! Make sure your voice is part of the decision making for how the game is going to be played. Stand up for yourself in the hallways of middle school. Accept that some people won’t like it and it’s not the end of the world! Choose to leave the relationship (when possible) if your voice is not respected or valued. Stand in the fire when needed and hold your own. Don’t run. Over time, you will earn the respect of your peers for letting them know who you are. Accept whatever consequences come from authority. Leave room for forgiveness to repair relationships.
- In your relationship with Mom, Dad, teacher or another caretaker, don’t let obedience hold back your voice. Sometimes the adults in your life are too controlling. Try to understand that they are unaware of how they are treating you. It’s not intentional. It’s just learned attitudes and behaviors. In the moment of disagreement, accept their rank and privilege and do what is necessary. When the situation is calm, go to them to express how you feel using “I statements”. ex.) “I feel ____when ____happens.” Accept that you won’t always feel satisfied, but at the very least, you will have expressed yourself and not stored your feelings in a tank of resentment. Overtime, some of the adults will start to hear your voice and will respect it.
If you are an adult:
- Assert yourself in your close relationships, i.e. your marriage, co-workers, bosses, extended family, and friends. Stop avoiding conflict by choosing avoidance behaviors such as: closet eating, closet drinking, doing drugs, working, exercising, cleaning or shopping too much. Stand in the lions roar!! Don’t let his/her roar scare you. Face the lion and hold your ground. Take space if needed and let the lion know. When the atmosphere is calm, express yourself in a calm, deliberate manner by using “I statements”. Accept that the lion won’t always like it immediately. They need time to understand your roar 😉
- If you are an adult who grew up in a time of obedience, then ask yourself, “How do I show up in my role as parent, teacher or caretaker?” Are you controlling and a bully? …Or do you tend to be a catastrophic push over, only to end up yelling and screaming? Get clear on your expectations of your kids. Have a family/class/group meeting to express them. Allow the kids to express their desires too. Get aligned on the expectations. See where you can flex to meet the children’s wants, especially as they get older. Hold boundaries when needed and be consistent. Stop the negative verbal dialog. Be aware of giving genuine praise and acknowledgment.
Obedience is a necessary attitude of life, but is extremely detrimental when used to please someone. When using the attitude of obedience, think in terms of being obedient to The Relationship…not being obedient to the individual(s). Result? With much practice, three generations from now we will have redefined healthy, connected, sustainable individuals and relationships. They will be co-arising, not co-dependent!
Questions/Thoughts to Ask Yourself When the Attitude of Obedience Shows Up
- How will what I am about to Say or Do impact my relationship?
- What Is Trying To Happen for the sake of the relationship?
- What do I Need to Accept from the other person that I would prefer to be different, for the sake of the relationship?
- What Needs To Happen next for the sake of the relationship?
Kathleen Mangiafico, ORSCC is a Relationship Specialist. Her expertise lies in working with diverse individuals, and other relational systems (youth groups, couples/families, businesses) and can be reached at kbmangiafico@sbcglobal.net