avatarJames Boylan

Summary

The article discusses the author's journey from needing to be always right to embracing differing opinions for personal happiness and peace.

Abstract

The author reflects on a time when the need to be right dominated their interactions, often leading to anger and unhappiness. This realization came after the author began exploring spirituality, which led to an understanding that the desire to be always right was detrimental to relationships and personal well-being. The article emphasizes the importance of accepting others' opinions without the need to dispute or become angry, suggesting that the concepts of right and wrong are subjective and can vary greatly between individuals. The author advocates for listening and learning from others, rather than seeking conflict over differing viewpoints. Ultimately, the author presents a choice between being right and being happy, joyous, and free, and encourages readers to consider their own attitudes and behaviors in the face of differing opinions.

Opinions

  • The author believes that the insistence on being right can lead to personal misery and strained relationships.
  • They suggest that right and wrong are not absolute and can differ from person to person, making the need to argue over these judgments unnecessary.
  • The author has learned that listening to others without the need to disagree can be enlightening and promotes personal growth.
  • They posit that opinions are as unique as fingerprints and should be respected rather than judged.
  • The author has made a conscious decision to prioritize happiness and peace over the need to be right.
  • They encourage readers to reflect on their own actions and attitudes when faced with differing opinions and to choose happiness over being right.
  • The author expresses gratitude for the insights gained through spirituality and the freedom that comes from letting go of the need to always be right.

Why Do Some People Always Have to Be Right?

When they are so obviously wrong

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

Long before I began studying spirituality, I had all of the answers. And they always had to be right. They ALWAYS had to be right, even if very wrong.

Soon after starting to work with what I was learning about my inborn spirituality, I discovered that this attitude was making me a very unhappy person whenever I was near someone with whom I did not agree.

Unhappy, many times, meant angry. Angry made me someone others did not necessarily need or want to be too close to.

This led me to the question of whether I needed to always be right or wished to be happy. Always right — miserable. Maybe right but allowing for another opinion — peace. Those were my choices.

I have chosen to allow others to have their opinions. Even voice them to me! And not let it make me angry and ready to fight for what I think is right.

If I feel I am right, and if you do not agree with me, should that mean you are wrong? Do I need to have a world full of me-clones? That would make for a boring, probably turning into a violent place to spend any time.

Right, wrong! Who am I to judge? I have discovered that right and wrong are two judgments that do not have to be disputed. Why? Because, in this instance, right and wrong are useless to the thought process.

What is right for me may be wrong for you. Political, religious, educational, sex, ethnicity, food tastes, dress codes, and music styles all have differences, and this does not mean right or wrong.

I still feel passionate about certain issues. But I choose not to discuss them with many because I am possibly looking for a fight when I enter the discussion.

I have also learned so much more by listening to people. Not needing ways to disagree and getting angry when the other person has an opposing opinion, teaches me nothing. Especially when the difference is between right and wrong.

Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-fingerpints-on-paper-8382611/

Opinions are like fingerprints. Everyone has them, and they are all different. This does not mean that others are wrong and I am right. It just makes us different.

So, the choice for me is: do I want to be right, or do I want to be happy, joyous, and free? That is really my ONLY choice. Remember the mirror — what you put into the mirror, you get out of it.

If I don’t like the image that I see, I can either change my input or walk away from the mirror. What about you? God bless you!

Thank you, God!

Please comment to let me know if you saw this post. Thank you!

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If you would like assistance with any of what you are reading in this article, simply and humbly say “God, help me” and then step back and let Him.

✍ — Published by Maryan Pelland OnText.com, at Dancing Elephant Press. Click here for submission guidelines.

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