I wrote this blog last week and planned on finishing it before something happened. It directly correlates to this thus I am going to preface my blog on what happened.
On Wednesday I was attacked by a dog. I was working, my dogs kept barking and I looked outside to see a large dog running up the street. Many of my neighbors are elderly so I went outside to help. The dog saw me and began running toward me. I was elated at first. But then I noticed something different. He wasn’t a pup and was not coming to play. He quickly went for my left leg and luckily bit my pants. He then lunged and bit my right leg. I kicked him in the jaw. He was not fazed. He continued to lunge while I kept eye contact, yelled NO and kicked while taking small steps backward. I got to the front door of my house by the time the owner and neighbor arrived to leash him. The owner apologized profusely. The other neighbor helping her got angry and told her, “This is the third time your dog has bitten someone. This dog needs a new home.” The dog’s owner dismissed him because she is loyal to a fault.
Back to the original blog:
I have been thinking about the idea of loyalty for the past few months. Loyalty is an attribute everyone identifies with. Have you ever met a person stating otherwise? Loyalty is tossed around like most adjectives- Also fun, friendly, outgoing and of course kind.
Loyalty can apply to myriad situations. It could be in friendships or relationships. It could be family, pets, job, or a political party. People really like touting themselves as loyal.
The reason I have been thinking so much of this lately is quietly watching others display their loyalty in various areas while not tending to others.
My Dad always spoke about being loyal to a fault. Over the years I admired this quality and followed suit. As an adult I found that loyal to a fault is flawed.
When we say we are loyal humans at what point are we not? Is it when beliefs do not coincide? What happens when friends don’t want the best for us? How long do you stay when your partner continually mistreats you? Or support a family member making poor choices? Do you stay loyal to a job or person that doesn’t value or celebrate you? What about the animal you love that continually acts out? Most recently, what do you do when your political party leaves you unsatisfied?
Do you stay? Do you remain loyal to a fault?
My thoughts are what loyalty really means to you. Everyone is quick to hold on to the word and describe themselves as such. But what if being loyal to a fault isn’t the best option?
Mike and I have had time off this past month and we have talked at length about the same questions. Loyalty is something to be cherished in the right circumstances. However when does a person decide, “I am not loyal to dysfunction?”
More than anything I am interested in your insight. What makes you loyal? When do you decide to NOT be loyal?
Best,
Marianne
