No Better Than You Have To Be

While sitting in a restaurant, waiting for my friend to join me, I was minding my own business as well as the business of the people seated in the booth behind me. As an active member of ETA, a recovery program for alcoholics and drug addicts, I have been taught to be mindful of others. Sitting where others are close by is my favorite place to practice this principal. Weather or not I know the 'others' is unimportant, just so long as I get to be mindful. I love this program!

One of the people made a comment about a woman who was not there. "That Barbie has never been any better than she has to be!" The passion with which these words were uttered was palpable. I can understand that; I'm in awe of Barbie and I don't even know who she is! My thoughts begin to race around in my head.

I'm thinking: What a lucky gal Barbie is!! How has she managed to do this? She must be incredibly smart. I wonder how old she is? Has she always not been any better than she had to be? Was she born with this gift? Can a person learn how to acquire this skill? Does she give classes or workshops? I remember all those times when such great effort was put into something that yielded an unsatisfying result. Almost everyone I know has done this at one time or another and it is really depressing. We might never have to have an experience again! How cool is that?

My friend Midge shows up and I quickly whisper for her to be quiet. She gives me that look which implies I should be clapped up in a tower somewhere with an attendant by my side 24/7. Normally this ticks me off. Not today. I briefly tell her, softly and quietly, about the information I'm trying to procure. Midge isn't the quickest draw you've ever seen in a gun fight. Sometimes it takes her a moment to catch on. I scribble the description of Barbie on a napkin and slide it over to her.

In a voice resembling that of a game show host (Really, Midge could have had a very successful career in radio!) she says, "Saying that someone is no better than they have to be is not a compliment!" What?! Surly she can't be right... "It's the same thing as doing half-measures."

Turning this over in my head I conclude, sadly, that Midge is probably right. She (too) often is right about this kind of thing. (This is also probably why I can get so irritated with her!) Sigh...
Well, sheet. I should have known it was too good to be true.

Have a good and sober day.