What is dysfunctional?

We all are a part of society that will never want to acknowledge just how dysfunctional we are.  But, do we really know what dysfunctional means?  Well, the Dictionary defines it as follows: 

  1. Not performing normally, as an organ or structure of the body; malfunctioning.
  2. Having a malfunctioning part or element.
  3. Behaving or acting outside social norms:

Source: https://www.dictionary.com/browse/dysfunctional

Dysfunctional in real time....

The majority of society has so much going on in their everyday life.  We are working, we are raising families, we are involved in church, we are dealing with events we have no control over, and we still manage to get through it.

In 2023, we are dealing with so much dysfunctional people, I have to wonder how I even get through each day!  I never thought in a million years, that I would witness the worst political setbacks in my lifetime.  With the overturning of Roe v Wade in the Supreme Court, so much has gone downhill.  Racism is running rampant, and disenfranchised groups rights and lives are being threatened each day that passes by.

In all honesty, racism never left because I experienced it in my life more than once.  People impose their own insecurities on people who are confident to tear them down.  As the old saying goes, misery loves company.    It is even more prevalent now more than ever!  Don’t get me wrong, I’m certain that other generations have experienced more atrocities than I would ever experience.  However, coming from a generation that, at least from my perspective, embraced diversity, inclusion, and equity, this new environment and political climate is very new to me!  

We are experiencing, in real time, an extremely dysfunctional society.  I’m only one individual in a sea of people whose words, posts, and actions affect my very fiber.  I cannot image how others deal with the dysfunction we are witnessing,

How to deal with Dysfunction

It is quite difficult.  Not only are you dealing with your own dysfunction, you are faced with other peoples dysfunction.   It is hard to avoid dysfunction because as humans we are innately dysfunctional.  But, how do you deal with it?  Well, honestly, I can only tell you how I deal with it.  

The hardest part is knowing when to just listen and not get involved.  I know for me, at times, I can get very irritated and annoyed listening to other people.  It isn’t because I’m not a good listener.  It is because I feel like people create drama for themselves, which causes the dysfunction.  I get that some people want to talk it out, and get someone else’s perspective.  But, understand that there are some people, like me, who have worked so hard to minimize the dysfunction in our own lives, that the answer is as simple as a yes or no.  Yes, you are going to continue accepting those behaviors or no you are not.  It has taken me so many years to unlearn my reactionary behaviors.  You have to understand that people are people and they are who they are.  Naturally, we want to help, but you learn that you cannot help everyone.  Only those who want to help themselves can be helped.