Cursed

I'm dealing with a supervisor who felt misused as a young nurse, and is out to solve everyone's work interpersonal irritations at any cost. Instead of letting us be adults and coming to terms with each other on our own. She says she doesn't need us all to like each other, just be able to work together, but her interference is feeding the complainers and punishing and stressing the best workers. Making many of us feel we are walking on eggshells, in an economy without other options. Instead of fostering good will, she sows distrust.

My mother tried to get everyone together, and labeled the family who avoided others - as grudge holders. I had my own forming opinions, like that people who didn't like each other maybe should stay as much out of each other's way as possible. I would have been happier with less paternal contact. And that is exactly what finally broke my relationship with my mother, her trying to force a 'reconciliation' with my father - after he viciously berated me, nearly a decade ago, in front of her and D. Some wounds are better left alone. I figure she is wondering how I can hold a grudge after so long.

I've run into more people like this, the ones who want everyone to get along, even if they have to lock them in a room until they make nice. More likely they'll simply find more reasons to dislike each other. I've been pressed into angry contact with the mean and the toxic, when a bit of space would have allowed quiet coexistence.

No one can make anyone do anything. We can only act ourselves, to be honorable, to be kind, to be thoughtful. The scripture that says Blessed are the Peacemakers has always galled. My mother rued her role as the only peacemaker, but never enough to stop. Cursed are such peacemakers, for they pick at scabs, trying to make others do as they wish, which never works. She had no peace inside herself, I suspect.