I squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube from the middle. Always have.
I've had friends call me on it, proclaiming that I'm doing it wrong and that I should squeeze neatly from the bottom of the tube and work my way up until it's empty.
But for whatever reason, I prefer to start in the middle and then circle back to what's left in the bottom of the tube when I need it.
Guess you could call it leaving some in reserve?
In the grand scheme of life, how I squeeze the toothpaste out of my tube is pretty much irrelevant.
But it got me thinking about how there are many different ways to accomplish the same objective.
There is almost never only one "right" way to get something done. Except maybe how to pull the rip cord on a parachute...
So why do we care so much how other people do things?
Why does it matter to you how I squeeze my toothpaste or hang my toilet paper roll or which direction I face my silverware in the dishwasher?
I think we're all just afraid of doing it "wrong."
So we label our way as the right way.
It's kind of like that tube of toothpaste. Once I squeeze from the middle, there are two sides that both still have value. I can get toothpaste from either one and accomplish my objective.
Maybe it's time that we step out of our comfort zones and try doing things differently. Put ourselves in each other's shoes.
It might help me relate to my teenagers a little better too.
I could try things like this:
Wearing the same pair of socks until they stand up on their own
Only cleaning my room when I can no longer get through the door
Bandaging my cuts with duct tape because the bandaids are all the way upstairs in the bathroom and the duct tape is right in the garage
Packing for a trip at the very last minute and without a list
That would definitely take me out of my comfort zone.
But I'd ultimately accomplish the same objectives:
Warm feet
Clean room
Covered wound
Packed bag
If only life were really that simple, right?
There's a middle ground in there somewhere.
I guess my point is - who are we to judge how others get to where they are going in life?
When we dwell on the things that people do differently than us, all we end up getting out of it is frustration and negativity.
And as cliche as it sounds, life is truly too short for that.
So next time you are inclined to call someone out for how they squeeze their toothpaste, load their dishwasher or hang their toilet paper roll, stop and ask yourself this:
Does this really matter?
If the answer is no, don't say anything.
When you get home, you can do those things whichever way you feel is right and pass that judgment silently in your head.
And everyone can go on happily living with the knowledge that their way is the "right" way.
So if you'll excuse me...I have to go brush my teeth now.
I've got a fresh tube of toothpaste to squeeze.
From the middle of course!
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