KEEP THE OLD WARM

If any man can convince and show me that I do not think nor act right, I will gladly change; for I seek truth, by which no man was ever injured. But he is injured who abides in his error and ignorance. – Marcus Aurelius Meditations VI:21

Are we after the truth? Or are we after a victory for ourselves?

The truth requires you to fight for what you believe in. What would history be if great figures had not stood their ground and spoke bold and proud? It would not be a good world.

However, notice those great figures who demanded their voices be heard are few and far between. There is a need for their opinion to be heard because so many other forces are against them. They must be heard or it would drive them mad if they did not stand tall and proud.

The other side of truth, or perhaps, another turn on the road to truth, is to have humility and to change your opinion after listing to others.

I am one man. A normal man who does not have much life experience. I am still a student of life and do not have all the answers. Why should I not change my opinions?

If I want to grow and reach my potential I need to absorb the greatness of the world. Once reached, then I can return and offer my greatness to the world to help others. A cycle of helping each other grow.

However, to first absorb the greatness of the world, I need to listen, learn, adapt, change, respond with curiosity, enthusiasm, and humility when I am presented with experience and knowledge greater than my own. It’s fun to be a student and learn form others! You can always learn something from someone and life grows richer that way.

Now, when I need to listen, learn, and have the most humility, it is when someone is showing me, not telling me, how I am not thinking or acting right. I don’t need someone’s opinion about how I’m wrong and telling me that I am. That will only invoke pride and resentment. I need someone to show me how I do not think or act correctly, and with good intent. Then, I can listen, learn, and change my opinion.

If you can listen, learn, and change your mind when the time calls for it, not only will you improve yourself, but will be more open and able to learn from other sources in the future, will share your own opinions with greater skill and gentleness, will be respected for your ability to respect others’ opinions, and overall will improve any group setting that requires cooperation and teamwork.

Sometimes fight for what you believe is right. Sometimes be content with learning a better way. The wisdom is to know the difference.