It’s the season of debates. If this is news for you, the Presidential debates for the 2012 race have actually been going on for the past few months. The Republican candidates are being forced to hash out in public just exactly what they think. And we viewers get the opportunity to watch how quick they are on their feet, and too, how they react or respond under pressure.
In a weird way, we like to watch people fight or disagree. I am not sure why. Maybe we are secretly trying to learn what to do and not to do in the heat of the moment. Or, maybe it’s that self righteous kinda thing of, “I certainly wouldn’t say or do that? ” But would we? We don’t really know until we ourselves are in the heat of our very own moment.
I don’t know why I get so surprised when I find myself not seeing eye to eye with someone. I guess I should expect it by now, but for some reason, I always seem so shocked when I find myself in that type of situation. How could they not see things my way? I muse. You, of course, wouldn’t happen to relate…would you? 🙂
People who want to eradicate conflict, disagreements, or even war, are ignoring a very human reality. One that will never change. I am not going to change the way you were brought up or what you believe about life. In turn, it is not very likely that you will change my mind either. What to do, what to do, what to do?
There is a saying I have taken to heart many times over the years. “When in a tug of war, let go of your end.” If you think about it, you might begin to see the wisdom in that statement. If both sides are huffing and puffing and pulling with all their might, and suddenly, one side just “let’s go”–what happens? That’s right. The side left with the rope all falls down.
Now, am I saying to just give up, even when you believe deeply about something? No. Am I saying if you get tired of the fight, let go? No. Not that either. What I am saying is that many times in our lives, certain arguments and disagreements simply aren’t worth the fight. Period. Sometimes, one side just needs to let go, accept that the two sides are not going to agree, and move on. It’s that easy.
If there is a struggle in your life that you are currently holding onto…if you deep down know that you are not going to change your way of thinking, and too, you know deep down, the other person is not going to change either, then why keep struggling? Neither of you are going to successfully convince the other. Someone has got to let go. If even only for the time being. It might as well be you. Save your energy for the crises. The real things in life that need your attention and matter the most.
Just my thoughts,
S.
