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Dilemmas and night caps

How do you cope with doing something that you really, really don't want to do, because you feel that others expect you to do it, and part of you also feels that you probably should do it?

Aargh!

I don't have the answer and I don't expect anyone else to have it either.

The easy option is just to do it anyway, go with the flow, do what is expected and say nothing. While quietly fuming inside and resolving to behave differently the next time. But knowing that when the next time comes, you will still be too much of a coward to say anything and will continue with the doing-what-you-don't-want-to-do-behaviour. On and on and on. Probably.

The brave thing to do would be to shock everyone, declare that you no longer want any part of it and refuse to join in. This isn't going to happen. For one thing, there are the responsibilities - the keeping up of appearances and the importance of complying, in order not to influence how others close-by behave. Setting a "bad" example can prove contagious. Particularly, if you suspect that others nearby have similar doubts, and are similarly too cowardly to stand alone. No-one wants to be responsible for creating a tidal wave. Or of altering the views of those too young to come to their own conclusions.

What on earth am I talking about? What indeed? Politics? Whether or not Daniel Craig is the best James Bond? Where we stand on hunting/gun laws/private education/castrating our pets? Or things more profound - whether Oscar Pistorius should compete later this year; the right to life; gay marriage? Or is the it something else altogether?

I am not going to say - I'll leave that little bit of musing to you. I am still a coward, obviously. And I will still comply. Probably.

In the meantime, I'll take this particular personal dilemma to bed, washed down with the best hot chocolate on the planet: equal parts of hot milk and hot water (if you like it creamier, opt for all milk); chocolate powder of your choice; and what makes it good (so good - you can probably tell I've had some already) is a decent slug/splash/generous tablespoon (or two) of Cointreau. The alcohol evaporates, but it still tastes strong enough to clear the sinuses and diminish difficult dilemmas.

Happy Hot Chocolate!


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