The Lost Art of Compromise

Here's a very interesting paragraph from the book I'm reading: 'The Geography of Bliss' by Eric Weiner:

"...The road is only wide enough for one car at a time. Passing is negotiated through a series of elaborate, poetic hand gestures...Everything in (Bhutan) requires cooperation....In the west and in the United States especially, we try to eliminate the need for compromise. Cars have 'personal climate controls' so that the driver and passenger need not negotiate a mutually agreeable temperature. That same pair, let's say they're husband and wife, need not agree on the ideal firmness of their mattress, either. Each can set their own 'personal comfort level.' We embrace these technologies. Why shouldn't everyone enjoy their own personal comfort level, be it in a car or in a bed? I wonder, though, what we lose through such conveniences. If we no longer must compromise on the easy stuff, like mattresses, then what about the truly important stuff? Compromise is a skill, and like all skills it atrophies from lack of use."

He points out something I never really thought of, but it's so true! We're becoming out of practice on compromise. Children become increasingly convinced that the world revolves around them. Our country is based on the idea that if you put your mind to something and work hard you will achieve what you've been striving for. If you work hard enough you can do anything. This causes people to be so angry and frustrated when they can't do something, or it proves more difficult than they expected. No wonder our country, collectively, is not very happy. I see this in politics as well. If, say, a president isn't making everyone in the country happy he's not doing a good enough job. We can't compromise and admit that our country is still a work in progress. We want policies and action to directly, immediately reflect our own beliefs. I'm pretty sure, though, no matter who our president is and no matter what the country is like there won't be a time when everyone is satisfied. That shouldn't even be the goal though. Thanks, Eric Weiner, for reminding me to work on my ability (an willingness) to compromise!