The fact you’re reading this means you have internet access. Which also means you’ve probably seen this dress.

What color is it? White and gold or blue and black?

My wife first showed me this and it turns out it is white and gold (if you ask her). I on the other hand, see it as blue and black. As you can imagine, the conversation didn’t end there.

I think I told my wife she’s crazy.

She told me I was lying to her.

We also laughed a fair amount while debating the color of this instantaneous infamous illusion.

It is safe to say this little debate played out millions of times in the past few days while turning into a viral hit.

But why?

If I had to put my finger on it, the number one reason this spread like creamy peanut butter is conflict.

I first felt external conflict with my wife’s color assessment. Then I flipped the switch to internal conflict as I wondered if I had been color blind my entire life?

The “debate” over the color of the dress wasn’t anything more than a light hearted conflict on a large scale.

People love conflict.

I never thought I did but as it turns out, I do.

Most people that know me would say I’m a pretty even-keeled guy. I get this description from time to time because I am rarely confrontational and I try my best to be diplomatic with others. I pride myself on this to some extent.

This really only speaks to the external conflict that people see. Under the surface I probably disagree with you in some way but in the interest of diplomacy I might nod along in agreement. My internal conflict is busy putting logs on the fire to contradict my cool cucumber persona.

It’s not fun. It’s a little exhausting actually. So why do it?

Because I love conflict.

Not the type people are familiar seeing but the deep down beneath the mud type conflict. That’s where the juicy creepy crawlers live, just ask Timon and Pumbaa.

Lately I’ve been trying to speak my mind more. It’s a tough thing to fight against your habits… but I’m trying.

It’s easy to be vocal about the color of the dress. It’s harder to speak up when your words can carry weight.

But the weight of unspoken thoughts might be the heaviest.

That’s why I must tell you, the dress is blue and black.

Photo credit : Tumblr