Do you want to be right, or do you want to be happy???

What?? What happened to Door #3??? Right AND happy! I remember the first time someone asked me that – do you want to be right or do you want to be happy – it really threw me for a loop. You mean they’re not the same thing?

I took a minute to review some of the times I seemed to be in conflict with someone else – how many of those times were the direct result of me trying to be right? Over something that probably didn’t matter anyway? Is it really necessary to point out to someone that no, the Bengals were NOT 2-14 that year, they were 3-13 thankyouverymuch… either way, they SUCKED that year!! Or do we really care if it took an hour and 45 minutes to get somewhere instead of an hour and a half?

How much of my life did I (or do I still) spend trying to be right about every little detail of every little thing, just for the sake of being right? How often do I need to correct someone I love over something that nobody (except me apparently) cares about? When did my way become the only way? How do all these people get along every day without my constant intervention??

I have one memory in particular that always sticks with me – my daughter (then 11 or so) was getting ready to empty the dishwasher, and I found myself preparing to EXPLAIN to her in GREAT detail about why it was better to do the glasses first, then plates, save the silver for last, etc…. a thought came from nowhere with such great force that I knew it didn’t originate with me: “Beth, who CARES what she takes out first or last – when she is finished, it will be empty!!”

Hmmm novel idea… you mean I could be ‘happy’ that the dishwasher is empty, without starting an argument (oops I mean without ‘being right’) about HOW she gets it done? I can be happy WITHOUT being right? What? I will be happy MORE OFTEN if I STOP trying to be right all the time?

Wow, next you’re going to tell me I don’t have to get the last word either…. (more on that tomorrow! hahaha)