Sensitivity

"You insensitive bastard! Do you have any idea how much that stings"? That was a great line from the movie Men In Black. Very recently, its been brought to my attention, that I too am somewhat of an insensitive bastard. Up until now, it hadn't really dawned on me, but, given the facts, I think I'd have to agree. While driving home last night, a Motley Crue song came on the radio. I'm not a huge Crue fan, but this song amuses me, and I have to turn it up and sing along. The title is 'Don't Go Away Mad', and the chorus says, "Girl, don't go away mad, just go away". My loving wife pointed out this character flaw? during my karaoke performance. She said, "You never get upset when you make me mad. You just go about your business like nothing happened". "In fact, all the girls you've dated, you just made them mad and moved on". What she said made perfect sense. I refuse to fight over, what appears to me, to be petty differences. I may say or do something, and feel completely justified in my action, and not wait around for a backlash. I've said my piece, I'm in the right, see ya when the anger level subsides. Very selfish on my part to not let the second party (namely my wife), express their concerns and disdain for what I've just put them through. I'm not totally insensitive to my wife and her feelings. If someone other than myself, makes her feel bad or angry, that upsets me to the point where I may need to say something. For the most part, I'm pretty thick skinned. You can flat out say something rude or insensitive to my face, and I think to myself, "Glad I don't share a closet with this person", and then resume what I was doing to set them off in the first place. I will admit, I can be a great source of irritation when I need to. The first step to correcting my problem, is admitting I have a problem. Step #1 accomplished. Step two would require accepting help. The problem with step #2 is, I prefer to act alone in my course of insensitivity. I don't think I need help in making folks upset with me. This is something I've done for years, I'm pretty darn good at it. I believe my training started when I was young. My mother could anger multiple family members by just walking into a room. My grandmother taught me the insensitive side. Say something mean, and if you're called on it, cry some crocodile tears. Instead of the tears, I just walk away without any chance for recourse. John Mellencamp put it nicely, when he sang, "I need a lover who won't drive me crazy. One who knows the meaning of 'Hey hit that highway'".