Resilience!

I recently got a glimpse of Elizabeth Edwards, the ex-wife of the former American Senator John Edwards, promoting her book "Resilience".

I had to wonder if all men who have affairs, are these narcisstic, egotistical monsters who are in desperate need of having their ego stroked by any woman who comes along, or are there those who are in a relationship that has failed them in some way? And then, would the wife also not be in that same situation? So we have two unhappy people together but reluctant to be apart so they try and make the best of a bad situation.

However, as soon as another woman appears on the scene, then the wife is the victim!
The 30 years of standing by her man somehow negates the fact that she was miserable and unhappy at his side.

Surely, when one is in a relationship that does not fulfil all one's need, one should always bare in mind that the other person feels the same way.
You may ask yourself why stay together then? And often, its the fear of the unknown, or one has become complacent, often it has to do with finances.

The point is that I have to wonder why all this is forgotten once a third party is involved and the wife, or the husband in some cases, then calls foul? As if everything was always okay and how it was still something that they both wanted.

I do feel for the woman who is genuinely content and knows that it is not perfect but what is and does not see it coming. That is heartbreaking. However, how often is that the case?

The cheating husband is always portrayed as a monster but just as women are quick to point out that behind every bitch there is a man who made her, surely behind every monster is a disgruntled, grumpy, unhappy woman.

I could be so wrong here but somehow Mrs Edwards made me think that there must be another side to every story. And is that not the case in everything.