Of course we know the answer.
Most of us simply want to be right and we go about trying to prove it to ourselves every day. We want to show ourselves that ALL the decisions we made were the right ones and if they were NOT, then it wasn’t our fault.
We’re all guilty at some level and if you think you are not guilty of this human trait, you’re a Saint and probably should be crucified for your purity. In fact many real people usually are crucified but the ones who are truly authentic, crucified or otherwise, are people without ego.
This word ego, everyone talks about these days as it is fashionable but our very own ego is very cunning. Why so?
Why so you ask? Well our own ego is tricky because everyone else can see it except ourselves; is this not a cause for revelation? You only have to ask your nearest and dearest if you are egoistic in any way and you will be ever so nicely reminded of the many ways your ego manifests itself on a daily basis.
The thing I see especially online, is that people are constantly trying to big themselves up without seeing that they too are suffering from the same malaise as everybody else. Now, the matter gets worse because after a lifetime of trying to prove ourselves superior to others, and obviously more successful, not only do we learn nothing about why we are on this planet, but we learn little about compassion, let alone anything about ourselves.
My experience with wanting to be right over others has taken a long time to translate into any wisdom at all. In fact I’d hesitate even to call it wisdom, as that is too high a word. I would simply say that my truth is ONLY my truth and it may work for me but it may definitely NOT work for you.
The reality is that my life path has been different to yours and my way of life and lifestyle may be absolutely the wrong one for you. Of course you may learn something from me and vice versa but it will not be because I’m asserting my superiority over you; it will be because we both may see that the other cares.
Whenever I see someone claiming their superiority or great success over others and trying to correct them very, very “intelligently,” I remember how I used to be when I was thinking that my way was the only way. In fact, I was just dim-witted, and unintelligent. Not only that, neither was I so happy.
So, do you want to be right or do you want to be happy? And if you think being happy is shallow, you’re probably quite a miserable person.
Chris Borrett
Image Credit- FreeImages.com:Iva Villi
If by chance, you have not encountered my previous posts outside this blog, one of my favourites is about “How To Make A Decision and Stick To It”. You have the luxury of reading it by clicking here.