OPEN RELATIONSHIPS

October 21, 2015

I read something from the Our Daily Journal this week on the importance of open relationships.  No, it does not refer to the permissive one where people change partners as fast and as often as they change underwear.  Nor does it refer only to the romantic one.  The author was simply saying that in our relationship with others—be they family, friends, colleagues, co-workers, or significant others—being honest and open about who we are and what our intentions will be is key to success.

Unfortunately, many people today suffer from broken relationships because of lack of communication.  It seems there is a shortage of people who can speak their minds without being too abrasive, people who are in relationships to build lasting friendships instead of just getting what they want and fulfilling their desires at the expense of others, or people who genuinely and sincerely care for even the most unlovable people in society without aiming just to improve their public image.

Even the governors of the State—that which is second to GOD, according to Political Science, which we must respect—elected or appointed officials, and many career service and ordinary civil servants are in it not for public service but for personal profit (be it monetary, social connections, or meaningful entry to their curriculum vitae).

As a predominantly Christian nation though, if we must restore hope to our people and ourselves, we should go back to the basics of the Name by which we are called.  Jesus Christ is the most honest, frank, direct, open and faithful person in the whole of history.  He calls a kettle black and does not hesitate to reprimand self-righteous Pharisees and Saducees who believe themselves all-knowing and all-perfect.  But He shows unlimited mercy to a woman caught in an act of adultery.  He was a friend to tax collectors, fishermen, shepherds, sick people and sinners—the dregs of society—but He also knows when and how to preach to the rich who earnestly love Him and listens to His word like Zacchaeus and Joseph of Arimatea.  His perfect example of loving others as we love ourselves was the Good Samaritan who took care and provided for the held up and badly beaten Jewish man, even when another self-righteous Jew and Priest ignored that person.

Familiarity breeds contempt, so they say.  But it is in familiarity that we gain a deeper understanding of other people.  It is when we open up ourselves to others that we realize we do not lose something by sharing but we gain a stronger bond linking us to the humanity in others.  As our country comes to another turning point in history next year, how many of us would have the wisdom to discern who among those who want to run for public office are people whose lives and thoughts are open and honest?  With all the propaganda and bashing people today are flinging at each other and saying “I did not do it”, we are reminded of the cat who just swallowed the canary, wiped its mouth with its paws, and meowed in contentment, all innocent and angelic-looking.  And when pushed to a corner say that it is just an exercise in freedom of expression.

I would suggest we start reading faces, see who is open (from the thickness of their brows, to the depth and color and length of their eyelids, to the flare of their noses, down to every little smirk, every gaping mouth, every shape and protrusion of the chin and cheeks, or lack of symmetry between right and left sides of the face) and put our eggs on one whose heart is on the sleeve—a heart and mind that is open to all, open to lead, and open to welcome people to a journey of progress and real development.