What enemy are you fighting right now?
Sometime during the first year of our marriage, Ricardo and I had an intense discussion. I don’t remember the topic, but I will never forget how my churning emotions calmed right down when he paused and said:
“Wifey, we’re on the same side.”
I immediately visualized us together, facing down a common enemy. And for the past 27 years, that approach has brought us together over and over again to make choices for the common good. Often without even gritting our teeth.
Who is your enemy?
Fighting is exhausting.
Perhaps if we made the enemy the enemy, we would be less likely to hurt each other.
War is beyond exhausting.
Even as I write, missile bearing fighter jets pass overhead. And while we live in a secure location, 30-50% of Lebanon’s population does not. Over a million people (roughly 1 out of every 5) are displaced, having fled homes that mostly lie in rubble.
Perhaps if together we named evil for what it is, wherever it is, we would be less likely to pick sides—less likely to defend the indefensible simply because it aligns with our side.
And we would work together better and be able to do some good—together.
Together is less exhausting.