Courage to Change:
Maybe we need many points of view in order to understand life more fully; after all, no one person’s view is totally complete. So when my partner, my child, my employer, or an Al-Anon friend takes a position unlike my own, I have a choice. I can assume that one of us is wrong and defend myself, or I can be grateful for the chance to see that there are countless ways of looking at life. An abundance of wisdom is available if I keep an open mind.
I try to practice this attitude when my loved one and I discuss anything, even TV. We often perceive a TV show so differently that it’s hard to believe we’ve been watching the same station! I used to take these disagreements personally. One of us had to be wrong, and my position had to be accepted! Today I don’t think there’s anything personal about a difference of opinion. If you think the sea is blue and I think it’s green, I don’t have to spend all day trying to convince you. Al-Anon helps me believe in myself and respect that other people are entitled to do the same.
Today’s Reminder:
I don’t have to invalidate anyone else’s views in order to validate my own. It’s all right to disagree. Today I will respect someone’s right to think differently.
“Think for yourself and let others enjoy the privilege of doing so too.”
– Voltaire