“If you have a choice between being right and being kind, choose kind.”
Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
How much energy is spent in the world on “being right” versus doing “what is right.” This applies to personal relationships, work relationships, corporate relationships, etc. The minute one’s ego is allowed to be in the drivers seat being right will have a higher priority over doing what is right. The problem is that it creates a vicious cycle where a response or retaliation is the first instinct. When this happens how do you stop the cycle? How do you take the ego out of the drivers seat and return the focus to what is truly important?
In the book of Matthew Jesus laid out how to do this, and it is some incredibly difficult advice to follow. However, when you can pause long enough to remove emotion from the situation you can see how applying this would solve so much in our world.
“But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” Matthew 5:38-42
Human nature puts the ego in control, puts being right first, puts self over kindness. When you read this passage I love how it mirrors the wisdom in today’s quote and shifts the focus from the desire of being right to demonstrating kindness and generosity. Easy to say, hard to do. How can you choose kindness today?
