“A whole person allows the reversibility in a relatively conflict-free fashion. He or she refrains from insisting on being only agent or object…. The reversibility is itself a form of action…. A whole person is neither threatened by reversibility nor incapable of enjoying either position in a relationship” Dr. Roy Schafer
I have learned in wisdom that to become and remain versatile in our relationships with others is not only rewarding but also critical to maintaining the health and well being of those relationships! Failure to be versatile enough to be both agent (the one who enacts love and concern on the other) and object (the one who is enacted upon in love and concern by the other) in our relationships, usually, is the death bell tolling, pitching an alarm that change is critical if we are to avoid a painful demise of the relationships we hold so dear! Love requires the versatility of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in a way that leads all participants to the litany of both agent and object! This versatility is powerfully gained through deep self reflection, prayer, and a willingness to act unselfishly as it relates to the other person (ego)! Many of the detrimental consequences we experience in relationships as a result of a breakdown of this paradigm could be altogether avoided if we employ this versatility as an initiative to such a complex dilemma! In the final analysis, we are the benefactors of healthy and whole relationships if we have the courage and moxy to remain versatile and not selfishly insist upon occupying the throne of self entitlement! (Another oil point from Theology Nation)
-Bishop Dr. Guy A. Cox