Someone asked me for an example of people thinking differently in terms of how they approach their  outer life–what are the behaviours others might see in them?

So, an example …

My son has recently set up house and seems grateful for the odd bit of cast-off furniture we can send his way.  So, finding ourselves with 2 sofas surplus to our needs, my husband and I agreed to pass them on to our boy.  It was always going to entail hire of a van and a long drive between our houses, with all the accompanying planning that would be required to execute this handover successfully.

Having confirmed with my son a day for the transfer, I rang my husband to give him the go-ahead to book a van.  The conversation went like this:

Me:  Just confirmed with [wonderful son’s name] that next Tuesday is OK for you to deliver the sofas.

Husband: Great news.  

Me:  And I’ve told him you’ll arrive later in the afternoon to accommodate his getting home from work time.

Husband: Fantastic.

That, dear reader, I thought was that.  Oh no.

Husband:  And which of the boxes of his possessions from his old bedroom does he want us to deliver?

Me:  (heart sinking somewhat) Well, not sure; I didn’t ask.  Most important thing is just to confirm the date today, so you can hire a van (stop fretting)

Husband:  Yes, OK.  And does he want the table too (another relative’s cast off)?

Me: I didn’t ask him.  He was on his way to work and a bit busy, so I just confirmed the date (you don’t need to know this now)

Husband: Well we’ll need to know (you really should be able to give me answers to this, now, it’s important)

Me:  Yes, I’ll find out later, perhaps tonight (and thinking … don’t worry, no problem, it will come together … later)

I have known my beloved long enough to know that we are different in our approach to planning and organising and viewing the world … me a bit of a big picture thinker and him often with a need to know the finer detail.  We’re each not right or wrong … just different.  Though the truth is that the difference needs managing and coming to terms with … but I’ll deal with that later when I encourage him to step out of his preference and see the world from my point of view!