a realisation

The other night I was musing on the amount of growth I know I still need. This came about when I thought back to a few things that I have experienced lately, the loss of my closest friend. Working on big projects without him, feeling so sad some days that I wondered about whether I can actually do my work constructively? Then there is the ex-husband and all that I have been doing to develop a better relationship with him, and other emotional issues.
Today though, I was part of a symposium and I felt that it had gone very well. My ex has done tones of them, and he had given me some constructive criticism on it, being my first. I was feeling quite good about our communications on the subject, and even found growth in my approach with him.
Then tonight, after feeling positive about the way things went, I tempted fate and asked him what his friend who was there thought of the whole thing? This person is like himself, very self satisfied and sees only his approach as relevant.Needless to say, he was quite forthcoming with some harsh criticism.
I am writing about it because although I made my own snide retort, I noticed something about myself tonight with this exchange.
I was disappointed. Not upset.
I know the dynamic between he and his friend, and I even compared it to what he probably felt for years when he believed that I was influenced or taken over by my parents.
I know...I take a long time to learn things sometime. But this was interesting.
after we spoke and I asked myself what it was that I was really feeling? I concluded that sometimes you are just so different, and just cannot bond in a neutral place. I cannot be what I am not, and neither can he. Whatever he thinks is his right, and I feel good about what I did and that's my right.