Truth or Dragonair?

 

Infidelity appears in many forms. Simply put, it results in the breaking of trust when one deliberately keeps intimate, meaningful secrets from a romantic partner.

“What’s a matter with you?”
“Nothing.”
“I can tell something is not right. What's with your phone? Hand it over.”
“My phone?”
“Yes. Your phone…please let me see it.”
“But…why?”
“What do you have to hide?”
“Nothing…I just…ummmm...Babez, it isn’t what you think…”
“Try me… Give it here. You did it again, didn’t you? You swore that you were gonna be better…and have some self-control.”
“It WASN’T my fault though!  It just kind of...happened.”
“Hand…over…the…phone…NOW!”
“I…I’m sorry, Babez. I really am.”

Once caught, continued avoidance is never the best way to go. To repair relational trust, the best thing to do is come clean and be rigorously honest about all aspects of the relationship, including in Pokémon GO (PoGO).

Although the relationship may not be perfect, we work to establish relationship goals and define boundaries. He is a Level 40 Mystic and I am a Level 36 Instinct. We never log into each other’s account and we do not ever force personal gaming strategies upon the other. The time spent together is built on honesty and transparency, rejoicing over each other’s accomplishments, striving to provide wise counsel, and remaining loyal at all times. As iron sharpens iron, we sharpen one another.

Many say that PoGO slows down as time goes on, however, there is so much more opportunity to build depth in the game. Catching International Regionals may be out of the question for both of us, but in the meantime, we continue working to grind for Gym Badge Experience, obtain the last five medals, and create new shared challenges – like finding a Pokémon with the lowest IV or collecting the most 100% IV Pokémon. 

The most important of all our relationship goals is to finish the requirements for the Dragon Tamer…together, at the same time. The only way to accomplish this is to check in with each other at the end of the day. The PoGO PLUS is a blessing and a curse! I can assure you, breaking promises is never intentional. I mean, what are the chances of catching TWO Dratini with only regular balls thrown by the PoGO PLUS while driving? Oh, my days! As of this moment, I will be sleeping in the lair of Houndoom without my smartphone until he catches up and we are both at 135 Dragon-type Pokémon.

This extreme sense of commitment may edge some relationships to the end; on the contrary, PoGO teaches us to be better individuals and inspires us to be the best there ever was in all facets of our relationship. As good Pokémon Trainers, we understand that real communication is integral to healthy relationships. It takes continued focus and commitment to get it all. Each day we accept new challenges and continue grinding to obtain our own personal Gold Medals for Honesty, Trust, Acceptance, Responsibility, Humor, Laughter, Realistic Expectations, Forgiveness, Love, and Respect. The Grind is certainly real and worthwhile over the longhaul in this PoGO Life.