Why it's hard to stay...
We've been together now for over two decades, watching each other grow and change and face many challenges. We've stood up to adversity and conquered our fears, we've taken risks few dare to try; we've felt invincible one moment and helpless the next...all for the greater good.
But now, as I reflect on our relationship, education and experience have created a divide between us. As I learn more about your background, more about how you were raised and what you stand for, I'm growing weary of whether you've learned from the past and if you are willing to adapt for the good of our future together. Whether you've seen the sacrifices I've made for you, the time I'll never get back with family and friends, the countless late nights and early mornings, the risks I've taken to protect you, and the commitment to helping you succeed at all costs.
Now I'm very grateful for the opportunities you've provided me; I am the person I am today mostly because of what you've taught me, how you've challenged me and how you've encouraged me to stand up for something bigger than myself. You've instilled in me a strong commitment to seeking justice and to protecting those lacking support. And you've opened my eyes, broadened my perspective about different cultures, ideologies and economic conditions. Without you, I'm certain I'd be less patient and less compassionate.
So I write this with a great level of respect for you and everything you've done for me. But, it's time to come clean; after all, that's what you taught me so well to do. Tell the truth and strive towards improving those around me. Well, you are included in the equation.
To start, if you want me to stay, I need you to allow me time to live my own life. I know you'd like me to spend all my time with you, working on ways to make you stronger, ways to make you more successful. But, I need you to give me enough space to build other relationships, to help the world in other ways, and to simply enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Living with you doesn't mean I live for you. I need you to pay attention to when I'm getting too tired so that you can say no to things that are non-essential. There's time for a full court press but timeouts are just as valuable.
Next, if you want me to stay, treat me with dignity and respect. See me as a vital component of your success and help me believe you see me this way. Understand I am human and I make mistakes and, realize that most of my mistakes are simply my way of expanding my experiences. And if I really screw up, let me know but don't hold it against me. Don't degrade me or isolate me because I'm different or have a non-traditional way of conducting business. Instead, see my uniqueness as a strength to our relationship. Our relationship is only as strong as we agree to make it on shared conditions.
Finally, if you want me to stay, take my advise when I have ideas for improving our relationship. Healthy, long-term relationships thrive with a little give and take. If I see a better, more efficient way of doing business, I need you to seriously consider my ideas. This shows me you are listening and that you are working on keeping our relationship strong.
But for now, it's hard to stay. I'm tired, burned out, stressed out, and feeling like I'm giving two years for every year that goes by together. I'm worried about not only us but everyone in this with us. I'm seeing others ready to give up, ready to walk away from us because their ability to care when there are never ending waves crashing over them is dwindling. And although many of them care deeply about you, they are also realizing that being too selfless reduces their ability to take care of their own needs.
So, as I meet you at the crossroads of our relationship, I leave you with this: would you rather have a thousand supporting you non-stop for four years but unable to give another ounce or would you rather have several hundred supporting you but also taking care of their own personal goals for ten or more years with more to give as they achieve success in their professional and personal lives?
The choice I hope is clear. If you make the right one, I think I'll stay as long as you'll have me because the challenge and feeling of purpose serving as a U.S. Marine, as a guardian of our nation's freedoms and liberties is next to nothing I've ever or will ever experience again in my life.
Semper Fidelis
We've been together now for over two decades, watching each other grow and change and face many challenges. We've stood up to adversity and conquered our fears, we've taken risks few dare to try; we've felt invincible one moment and helpless the next...all for the greater good.
But now, as I reflect on our relationship, education and experience have created a divide between us. As I learn more about your background, more about how you were raised and what you stand for, I'm growing weary of whether you've learned from the past and if you are willing to adapt for the good of our future together. Whether you've seen the sacrifices I've made for you, the time I'll never get back with family and friends, the countless late nights and early mornings, the risks I've taken to protect you, and the commitment to helping you succeed at all costs.
Now I'm very grateful for the opportunities you've provided me; I am the person I am today mostly because of what you've taught me, how you've challenged me and how you've encouraged me to stand up for something bigger than myself. You've instilled in me a strong commitment to seeking justice and to protecting those lacking support. And you've opened my eyes, broadened my perspective about different cultures, ideologies and economic conditions. Without you, I'm certain I'd be less patient and less compassionate.
So I write this with a great level of respect for you and everything you've done for me. But, it's time to come clean; after all, that's what you taught me so well to do. Tell the truth and strive towards improving those around me. Well, you are included in the equation.
To start, if you want me to stay, I need you to allow me time to live my own life. I know you'd like me to spend all my time with you, working on ways to make you stronger, ways to make you more successful. But, I need you to give me enough space to build other relationships, to help the world in other ways, and to simply enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Living with you doesn't mean I live for you. I need you to pay attention to when I'm getting too tired so that you can say no to things that are non-essential. There's time for a full court press but timeouts are just as valuable.
Next, if you want me to stay, treat me with dignity and respect. See me as a vital component of your success and help me believe you see me this way. Understand I am human and I make mistakes and, realize that most of my mistakes are simply my way of expanding my experiences. And if I really screw up, let me know but don't hold it against me. Don't degrade me or isolate me because I'm different or have a non-traditional way of conducting business. Instead, see my uniqueness as a strength to our relationship. Our relationship is only as strong as we agree to make it on shared conditions.
Finally, if you want me to stay, take my advise when I have ideas for improving our relationship. Healthy, long-term relationships thrive with a little give and take. If I see a better, more efficient way of doing business, I need you to seriously consider my ideas. This shows me you are listening and that you are working on keeping our relationship strong.
But for now, it's hard to stay. I'm tired, burned out, stressed out, and feeling like I'm giving two years for every year that goes by together. I'm worried about not only us but everyone in this with us. I'm seeing others ready to give up, ready to walk away from us because their ability to care when there are never ending waves crashing over them is dwindling. And although many of them care deeply about you, they are also realizing that being too selfless reduces their ability to take care of their own needs.
So, as I meet you at the crossroads of our relationship, I leave you with this: would you rather have a thousand supporting you non-stop for four years but unable to give another ounce or would you rather have several hundred supporting you but also taking care of their own personal goals for ten or more years with more to give as they achieve success in their professional and personal lives?
The choice I hope is clear. If you make the right one, I think I'll stay as long as you'll have me because the challenge and feeling of purpose serving as a U.S. Marine, as a guardian of our nation's freedoms and liberties is next to nothing I've ever or will ever experience again in my life.
Semper Fidelis
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