Today while listening to the teaching of the day, I was thrown into deep thoughts about how we as humans react when we disagree with one another. It’s interesting how we find that troublesome or how we try to make it feel like it isn’t right. I have always felt that way too until today. Well, not exactly today but I confirmed it today. When we argue, disagree, misunderstand ourselves, it isn’t bad. It is something that challenges us to be better. Which is also one major reason why I feel a lot of times we shy away from it - the fact that it challenges us to be more or to know better.
When we are faced with anything or someone that challenges everything we have known all our lives, or some part of our lives, it’s normal for us to naturally want to hide away and avoid that feeling. We hate to be shown that part of our garment that is soiled with oil. It’s too revealing for us to handle, especially for the first time. It’s just like when you are naked in a dark room and you don’t mind because no one can see you and immediately, someone turns on a very bright light pointing at you. I’m very sure you can imagine how embarrassing and uncomfortable that can feel.
And this is one reason why I love it when people remind me to always try to do the right thing even when I think no one is watching. If I wasn’t naked when that light was pointed at me, I won’t really feel as offended as I’d be when I was naked. A little sorry would have been able to make it all go away. But not in the other case. Yes, the person who pointed the light at you might have known you were naked and still did that but trust me, the earliest you look beyond that person’s side of the story, the better for you. Why? If you weren’t naked or you were naked at first but quickly realized you should put on a covering and you did that as soon as you should have, when that person points their light at you, they will be the embarrassed ones and not you.
So back to my discussion, having an argument with someone is something that forces us to grow. It is something that also proves that we are not the same and we don’t have to be to make the world a better place. In fact, we need this difference to shape ourselves into becoming the best versions of ourselves. If it were just me on earth, I’ll probably never have found out that I was dull or intelligent, hot-tempered or calm, introverted or extroverted and so much more. Trying to avoid arguments won’t ever help you grow. The only thing we should consider is to keep an open mind and be mature enough to accept when the next person is right and also to engage in arguments that pushes us to grow. In some cases, you can’t really tell who is right or wrong so one of the best things to do is to try out things differently and be sure yours is better or not.
Don’t settle for something because that’s how you’ve known it all your life. I make mistakes, you make mistakes, your parents, guardians and friends make mistakes too. But together, we will be able to learn, relearn and unlearn. The truth is, everyone will always have the right view about something until it is put in context. So, never hold on to your opinions without putting it in context because that changes everything.
Anyways, you can keep avoiding arguments because you don’t want your opinions to be dismissed or corrected but trust me, you will learn more and better when you embrace others opinions. If there is one thing I believe in, it’s that no one came into my life by chance, they came for a purpose whether big or small. By the grace of God, because of so many meaningful arguments I have had with people, I have been able to change so many opinions and perspectives I have lived with for years.
Thank you for reading through. 💜
