Floating Axhead

I read a pretty good article on flirting on a blog at Psychology Today…sometimes the worldly, secular stuff resonates just as much truth because it’s not wrapped in the Kumbaya stuff.

Here are some of my favorite parts about flirting …

• Flirting creates a relaxing, calm, and enjoyable atmosphere
• It is a subtle and enjoyable flattery that is closer to praise than to a lie
• An activity that should be harmless and not lead to anything
• Caring for others-by listening to and showing interest in them-while not taking them too seriously
• Honesty together with an element of innocence, as well as a mild level of deception
• It is a kind of game in which participants move closer to the borderline-and sometimes even step across it-and then move back to a comfortable distance from it
• “We flirted with and seeked each other constantly, until one day we realized we were not just playing anymore”
• Typical flirting offers participants an enjoyable, frivolous form of sexual communication with no serious intent; however, often flirting is not restricted to such harmless communication and leads to a sexual relationship
• Flirting also involves the mystery and uncertainty associated with sex
• It’s teasing, playing, innuendos-it’s about making someone feel special, it’s about being attentive, it’s about walking on the edge of danger & getting caught
• When people enjoy flirting for its own sake, it may be commendable
• Thus, flirting may help to reduce loneliness and boost one’s ego and self-confidence
• One survey has found that most working-women believe that flirting is good for their health and confidence. Indeed, three out of four of them have flirted with a colleague, while 28 percent have had a sexual relationship with a fellow-worker. Some findings indicate that flirting at the workplace makes people more comfortable around each other
• The distinction between online sex and flirting is not clear-cut, and the two activities often overlap
• People are attractive when they are relaxed, feeling good, and enjoying themselves
• At first it was just a nice friendly chat

I don’t see anything regarding flirting from a place of faith…hmmm.

Anyway, is flirting healthy? Does it help our self esteem to be flirted with and to flirt, and does it strengthen marriages…or is it irrelevant to our marriages…no effect.

Many of these characteristics sound like the people doing church…pastors and attenders. But more importantly, are you flirting with God or are you committed to him?