My husband and I had a “discussion” of sorts last week.

The subject was my failings in one particular area. And oh, how I hate those kinds of discussions!

I sputter. I defend. I attack. I pout. I sulk.

And about three days later, I finally decided to actually think about what was said.

Granted, the WAY in which things were said was most of the problem. When I hear “You always….” or “You never…..” it’s like someone takes cotton balls and stuffs them in my ears so I can’t hear the rest of the story.

But I had to ask myself: was my beloved dear heart making stuff up out of thin air, or was there a small nugget of truth in his soliloquy?

Yes, but.

Did I respond how I’d like HIM to respond when I bring up a touchy subject?

No, but.

Should the fact that my feelings are hurt make me dig my heels in?

No, but.

I’ve realized that I let all the yucky stuff around the nugget keep me from accepting responsibility and acting gracefully.

Basically, I’m tired of carrying all these “buts” around. There’s just too much….well, you know, stink when I hang on to them.