Nov 11 - Letters 11–16 show how relationships can be full of misunderstanding and pressure. Harpo wants love, but he also wants power. Sofia wants freedom, not control. Reflect on a time when someone’s desire for control hurt a friendship or relationship. What advice would you give to Harpo or Sofia if you could?

Response: A time when someone's desire for control hurt a relationship is when my dad got mad at my mom for making more money than him. As ridiculous as it sounds, this is a true story from when I was pretty young. My dad took a while to find out who he was and what he wanted to do with his life, but my mom had most of her life already set up for her. She was working a manager job at UPS, which was paying her fairly well, and my dad was working a cybersecurity job (which was the beginning of his cybersecurity career path), but wasn't making too much money. I can tell that my dad definitely has some insecurities and has struggled with his manhood in the past, because he just couldn't handle the fact that my mom could possibly be making more money than him. Eventually, my mom folded under the pressure of my dad and quit her UPS job to be able to be at home more. My mom ended up getting a stay-at-home job a little bit after this. If it wasn't for my dad's desire for control and power in their relationship, maybe it could've been better. If I could give advice to Harpo and Sofia, I would tell them to try and work on their problems together, and not against each other.

Summary: Today, we read letters 11-16.

Reflection: The desire for control in a relationship or friendship can completely ruin it entirely, which is why it is important to face your insecurities. 

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