A Lesson from the Plumber

I learned a valuable lesson watching a plumber at work. To make the required repairs he had to turn off the water and allow the water in the pipes to drain. After which, he went about the repairs. Sometimes in a relationship, the stress, frustration, anger, disappointment, etc. must be ‘turned off.’ Turning all that energy ‘off’ may involve some type of separation. The separation may be to walk away, go to another room, etc. or it may even involve going to some other place for a period while the energy, stress, anger, confusion, frustration, etc., drain away. Repairs to the relationship can’t be easily made while the energy of accusation and defensiveness is flowing. The pressure may need to be ‘turned off’ before the accusations and defensiveness ceases their energy flow, then perhaps some repair to the relationship may be made.