To Alex.
Some time ago, I heard my dad tell the story of the Gordian knot.
Coward!,
I thought. He (Alexander) never solved the riddle. Yes, cutting is easy. The real challenge is to stay there, disentangling the knot. I made a promise. Every time I encountered a knot (literally or symbolically) I would stay. I would disentangle. I would take my time. I would find the way. I took it as something personal. A personal challenge between us two: me and Alex.
This is a real story.
It's funny how many knots we bump into all the time: in plastic bags, sewing threads, hair, jewellery (the worst!) ... and relationships.
Staying there, untying the knot.
I learnt a few things. For example, I never found a knot that I couldn't disentangle. There is always a way. Sometimes if you just play with the knot in your hand for a bit, it softens giving you a way in. Or sometimes you can use a very fine needle to separate the threads.
But the thing is, and this I realise after a few years of doing this exercise (without cheating!): some knots are just not worth the time. The time of life is precious. These knots, yes, they could be disentangled if only you had the patience. But they're just not worth it. Those need to be cut through. Sliced, fast and cleanly. Ruthlessly. So after I proved my point to him,
I made peace with Alex.
I taught him something, and he taught me something too.
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