Compromise

I always wanted to dwell on this such “meaningful” word –– compromise. Let’s start from what Mr. Encarta is saying:

com•pro•mise n

1. a settlement of a dispute in which two or more sides agree to accept less than they originally wanted ← considered to be better-than-nothing-at-all

2. something that somebody accepts because what was wanted is unattainable ← hard to accept but TRUE

3. exposure to danger or disgrace ← TSK! TSK! TSK!

Need I say more?

I say it’s like selling your soul to the devil –– well, almost. The judgment now is how well you “redeem” yourself when you’ve made your deal. Hmmm… interesting.

The term “better-than-nothing” is quite degrading in some way or another. I, myself have been in the disposition of “compromising” for certain reasons:

1. giving in to get the “order” you wanted… with somehow a gratification behind our heads that we are “in control” but actually it was beyond our duties or line of work. More of spreading your conquered territory by means of “goodwill”… almost giving a service for free para mabango ang pangalan


2. just to finish or end it, may it be a conversation, debate or a project… ”Sundin na lang para matapos na!” (trans. Do what they wanted so it’ll be done and over with!) On our line of work, at times, we have to do the compromising specially if the other party is quite hard-headed and narrow-minded. Thank God, for people (and clients!) that are unbiased and objective thinkers. You all God’s gifts to us!

*clasp-hands, saying* Thank you, thank you so much!


3. you get something out of it, if not immediate at least in the days to come. This may sound uncertain but think of it like when you place money in the bank to save, you expect an interest from it. This is almost like no. 1 but you expect a gain than a loss.

But for how long shall you hold the thought of compromising? The giving in to others will and against your principle?

1. as long as it will save my job and our company
2. until I can hold my sanity and my conscience won’t bother me
3. as far as money will talk

And that, folks, is why conceivably I saw these words inside that word compromise:
• Promise… of completion and fullfillment
• More… projects to come
• Core… of it all is earning
• Sore… is temporary when goal is attained
• Mime… acts it out, no talks no debates just works on it
• Some… accomplishments, some punishments
• Come… more projects
• Rope… to use when you can’t take it anymore (kidding!)
• Spine… backbone to all of this… to gain, to win, to obtain, to earn

…. just to name a few.