Wow Wow

This past Friday, I went out for wings with my best friend.  This may not seem like a big deal, but back where I come from, chicken wings are a way of life.  As much as I enjoy living down here in the Catskills, the one let down is the wings.  They simply are not the same.  Not even close.  So, when I am able to find a place that prepares their wings close to the way I get them back home, it is always a treat to go and indulge.  To have a night out  to catch up with my best friend is also a huge treat.  During the meal, I found myself doing something that I have been trying hard not to do lately.

It has been said that the things that you dislike or find annoying with others are the things that you don't like about yourself.  I have always had a hard time with the people who I call the "One Uppers."  These are the people who, when you talk to them about anything, they make it a point to out do you.  They either know someone that the same thing happened to, but to a higher extreme, or it is themself.  When I encounter these people, I have a hard time not rolling my eyes or making things up to see if it is possible for them to out do me.  I have had to face the difficult reality that I, myself, am a "One Upper."  Now it makes sense why it drives me so crazy with others.  I hate that I do it.  I hate that I don't realize I'm doing it until later on when I think back on the experience or conversation. 

You may be wondering what this has to do with the beginning of this post, so I'll connect the dots now.  I am at my most "one upping" when I am with my friend.  Seriously, I don't know how he can stand it. 

While the snow came down yesterday, I was sick in bed.  So, those of you who know me can imagine the mood I was in.  With the time I spent laying around, I reflected on my annoying habit and what I could do to fix it.  During this time, I realized that there are three types of people out there.  I will do my best to explain each type to you now.

Type 1:  This is the person who thinks they are perfect.
I have a hard time with these people, because I truly believe no one is perfect.

Type 2:  This is the person who knows they have a fault.
This person is aware and does nothing to change the problem.

Type 3:  This is the person who knows they have a fault and works fix it.

I used to think of myself as a type 3 person.  I know I have this annoying quality and I try to be conscious of it to improvie myself.  This got me thinking, however.  If this is what I am doing, then aren't I trying to become a type 1 person?  I already stated that I don't think type 1's really exist, so why am I trying to become something that isn't real?   It's deep, I know.  Stick with me.  Next, I then began to think that I should be more of a type 2 person.  I should just own my faults and rejoice in my "one upness."  This however seemed lazy to me since I have a hard time just accepting things.  At this point I began to think that I was in some kind of DayQuil daze or that I might be going a little batty (pardon the Halloween reference).

Luckily, everything was quickly put into perspective for me in the simplest of ways, with the most surprising package.  As I sat in bed, my youngest son, Chase, who is two and a half, came tromping into my bedroom in his bright blue fleece footy pajamas wearing bright green plaid rubber boots.  He walked over to me and simply sang out, "BE YOURSELF AND YOU'LL BE COOL, DAD!"  In that moment, I couldn't help but laugh and appreciate the appropriateness of his random message.  On his way out the door, he turned to remind me that "KOOKY IS COOL!"  Who knew that my little guy was so insightful and at just the right time too.     So, to all my friends and those of you I interact with:  I am a one upper!  I am aware of it.  I will try to control it, but no one is perfect.

Thanks Chase...and Wubbzy.  Daddy is listening.

Mr. Fletcher