Wading Into The Waters of Controversy

The waters of controversy, we all know about water, and about controversy. They are both irrefutable. One we can see — the water; the other one — the controversy we swear we can see but it’s not physical, not like a statue or a chair. We feel it; controversy — it invades our psyche, quickens our pulse, and raises our hackles — threatens to make us defensive.

Why water? Why combine water and controversy to create a mixed metaphor? Why not? They both flow from places that we can’t see. We know they are both part of life like breathing and heartbeats. These waters are similar to the waters that swell rivers and streams in the spring of each year, the waters flow from the melting snow, the headwaters, high in the mountains above the clouds. Although we can’t see the mountaintops they exist. Just as controversy exists even when everything seems hunky dory. We can’t or don’t see the genesis of the controversy but before we know it we are steeped in it as it swirls and turns, ebbs and flows, rises and falls.

At times we stand on solid ground water flows past us. We watch impassively, safe and dry on bedrock, impervious to the direct influence. Other times the spray of foam, particulates so tiny they are not visible to the naked eye, alight upon us. Stand there long enough and we feel the effects — it’s damp and uncomfortable.

The waters of controversy run at varying depths depending upon the extent of the controversy. As much as we desire to avoid it (of course unless we actively engage in political or religious discussions hauling a trailer brimming with strong opinions, personal feelings and strident beliefs), controversy finds us.

Sometimes we wade into controversy consciously, deliberately, with forethought. Other times we find ourselves immersed in it up to our shapely hips. Do we welcome the opportunity to engage? Do we try to disengage?

What’s your point Nikki?

My point is that you can’t avoid controversy like you can’t avoid being soaked by rain if you are standing in an unsheltered area in the teeth of a summer storm. Even an umbrella does not protect us from being slashed as controversy contacts the ground at our feet and explodes into millions of droplets. There’s no way to avoid it. When you can’t avoid, how do you deal? Do you stand and allow the waters to rise? At what height does the level of water begin to concern you? When does concern evolve to panic?

Can you ignore controversy? Can you ignore rising water? At what point do you remove a shoe and use your toes to feel around for the drain plug? How long do you search for the safety valve, the drain to empty the pool? When do you take stock of your position to understand how far you are from the dry land of blissful agreement?

When is “walk away” an option — the best option?

I’m not trying to tell you to avoid, to disengage. I’m not trying to tell you whether to deal with controversy. I’m pointing out what may be obvious to some. You might say I have a tremendous grasp on it, a stranglehold (the female version of Doctor Phil of TGForum I am NOT). That statement could be the precursor to controversy.

No matter how politically (no pun intended) correct we think we are, we will find ourselves in the middle of controversy. How we acquit ourselves speaks volumes about us.

Be prudent, be true to yourself and as important — maybe more important, understand how controversy may impact relationships. It’s up to you to shape your life, your world, and your sphere of influence.

Be well my friends, until we speak again through this forum.

Tags: featured, Nikki Nicole, opinion

Category: Transgender Body & Soul, Transgender Opinion