Does familiarity breed contempt or comfort?

FROM MY FRONT PORCH

Sam Houston is the publisher of the Hood County News. He is also an actor, author, playwright, performer and entertainment producer/promoter.

Most of us have heard the old expression, “familiarity breeds contempt.” It is an adage that advises that extensive knowledge or close association with someone or something leads to a loss of respect for them or it.

A good example might be the zoo worker who goes through the process of feeding his charges, day after day. The animals eventually bond with the keeper and become the worker’s “friend.” All the while the worker must keep in mind the animals are predators by nature and they cannot afford to let their guard down and become so familiar they act in a slipshod or reckless way. The familiarity of the task can easily create an environment where a worker becomes complacent or casual — and that is exactly the time when someone could be hurt or injured.

I once knew a man who was a demolition expert. I asked him how he dealt with the danger of handling explosives every single workday and what was his greatest fear. He told me he always had to keep on guard to not be casual and take things for granted. He had to mentally prepare himself to treat every single motion and act he did with complete concentration. For him, letting his mind wander or becoming “familiar” could mean devastation and death. He smiled at me and told me “You can always tell who the best demolitionist is. He is the oldest, and the guy with all his fingers and other body parts.” In the demolition business, familiarity could lead to death.

The wisdom of old adages aside, I associate familiarity with the best things in life. Like the feel of my recliner when I come home after a long day of work. My chair “knows” me and understands the simple pleasure it provides by being comfortable and relaxing. I bet you get the same sort of feeling from things like that certain pillow you sleep with, the snoring of your dog as he sits at your feet, or peaceful experience gazing at the sky or the lake and taking in the beauty of God’s creation. This type of familiarity breeds the best of human emotions. Certainly comfort, sometimes relaxation and peace, but almost always the experience is transcendent and takes you to a better place than where you were before you got “comfortable.”

There are many kinds of comfort. There are comfortable clothes, comfortable shoes, and even comfort food. This past week my wife came up with a new recipe with crawfish, shrimp, sausage, and potatoes. It was very good. In fact, it was terrific. But I told my wife I could not wait for her to make the same meal on a Sunday night when it was 40 degrees colder, and the Cowboys were playing a game on TV. The thought of my wife’s good food, the joy of football and a peaceful Sunday night at home with my family, made good food become comfort food.

It has been a long and productive week. I am looking forward to Sunday and after getting some chores done in the morning, I fully expect to get on my comfortable bed and take a long and luxurious nap. There will be no contempt, just pure comfort. Sometimes, that is as good as it gets.

Hope you find some comfort this weekend too!

Thought for the day: The best things in life are often at the end of the exit ramp from our comfort zone.

Until next time.

sam@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066, ext. 260