A fellow Facebook friend sent this selection to a mutual FB friend:
“Silence frees us from the need to control others … A frantic stream of words flows from us in an attempt to straighten others out. We want so desperately for them to agree with us, to see things our way. We evaluate people, judge people, condemn people. We devour people with our words. Silence is one of the deepest Disciplines of the Spirit simply because it puts the stopper on that.” –Richard Foster, from his book Freedom of Simplicity
I am reminded of my stance when dealing with people who simply insist on being right. Many times in my life, I have encountered these people who are so convinced that they are right, and no matter how sound and reasonable my arguement(s) are, they simply cannot see beyond their own opinions. Therefore, I give them my silence. I have practiced this many times, even amongst loved ones, not out of agreement with what they are saying, but out of sheer logic. Afterall, what is that old saying, and I paraphrase terribly here: “only a fool will argue with a fool?”
In any case, I prefer Murphy’s Law of “never argue with a fool, people might not know the difference.”
So many times in life we are so sure that we are right, that we cannot see any other point of view. We so desperately want others to take ahold of what we’re saying, and envelop these ideas as wholeheartedly as we have. In doing so, sometimes, we lose sight of the bigger picture, or of the fundamental purposes for our beliefs. We end up alienating and un-inspiring those around us. All for the need to control….
Which leads me to a bumper sticker I saw the other day:
“Wag more, bark less.”
Doesn’t that just say it all? If only we could all do more wagging, and less barking…
Make me VIRAL! Share this:
--Barbara
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