"We Need to Talk."

Why do those four words inspire a sense of dread for everyone hears them? And why does a pit develop in the stomach of everyone who must utter them? Whatever the reason, they seem to be an unpleasant prelude to some tough conversation.

Four simple words... "We Need to Talk..." they usually end up being the catalyst of some big complex messy situation. Even the most innocuous of circumstances always seems enlarged with the addition of those words. Even the smallest problem seems amplified by them.

I've uttered them myself a few times. I always had the best intentions. I always thought that if I was just honest, whatever the concern was would just be recognized, worked on, and ultimately would go away. Maybe it was me, maybe it wasn't, but overall... it's never worked out that way.

As soon as the words are spoken, we immediately try to shield ourselves against the storm that just may be brewing. We try to review what on earth it is that we could have done wrong. What happened? Can it be fixed? Or is it the start of a bigger problem?

We start preparing our mental defenses to be and try to be ready for the worst case scenario. Am I in trouble? Am I getting fired? Am I spending the night on the couch or is the relationship in trouble? Is it over?

So it's no surprise that when I heard the words not once, but twice today from two different people, my stomach automatically started twisting and my head started spinning.

The second person who said that to me followed up the first four words with "you don't have anything to be concerned about". I've heard nothing more on the topic... yet.

The first person who uttered those words today resolved themselves kinda quickly and it turned out to be a big non-event. In fact, I even feel a little silly for being nervous.

So now I am waiting... and wondering. What could it be? Am I over-reacting? I guess it wouldn't be the first time. Although, I'm mentally preparing for the worst, I'm hoping the outcome ends up being just as big of a non-event as the first.

Time to play the waiting game, I guess.