Right or wrong?
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“Where so many hours have been spent in convincing myself that I am right, is there not some reason to fear I may be wrong?” -Jane Austen
Good morning! Being right all the time takes incredible amounts of energy. It also entails a lack of listening skills, closed-mindedness, and generally makes a person unpleasant to be around. After all, no one can be right all the time-certainly none of us have all the answers. While offering advice and guidance is important, remember to be open to new ideas and know that there is great power in making mistakes and admitting to them.
Likewise, in personal situations we will often defend our actions. We may have had an argument with another person, and we go over and over the details, analyzing why our actions were “justified” or “correct,” while the other person’s weren’t. It’s important to realize that “being right” doesn’t do you any good if you lose a friend or destroy a relationship.
Your Turn: The next time you are focused on being the expert or being right, pause for a moment. Look at the situation through the other person’s perspective and see if there is opportunity for growth and understanding.
Today’s Affirmation: Being caring and fair is more important than being right.
October 17th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Wow - I needed this reminder this week. I had a huge argument with my husband earlier this week. Even though we both were wrong in some respects, I could have made the situation much better, much quicker if I had let go of my pride, egotism, etc. and admitted that I where I was wrong. Things are ok now, but it was pretty tense around the first of the week. Again - thanks for the reminder……
October 17th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
This a great reality check for me and my situation right now. My boyfriend knows everything and when it is a subject that I actually have some knowledge in, I challenge him with my facts. This has become an incredible waste of time and energy and has left us both harboring anger. Reading the quote makes me wonder why I put energy into proving him wrong when I can. It has not gotten me anywhere positive and has created so many negative feelings inside of me, and I am sure inside of him also. I will be really reflecting on your words Brook, today and the days to come. Thank you so much…as usual, you have brought something to my attention that I can be in control of in a positive, healthy way.