Pick your battles… there are a few things I would never back down on in an argument, for example the need for children to ride in car seats & use seat belts. That’s non-negotiable. Health & safety issues are prime.

The things that don’t really matter just don’t matter and aren’t worth fighting over.

It amazes me how unhappy some people will make themselves to defend a position that doesn’t really matter. I’d simply rather let it go whenever possible & be happy!

Here’s how it goes in my house: My partner is always right and that always keeps us both happy =P

Being right doesn’t bother me at all because I know that I’m not infallible. If there are times when I think I am definately right, I still let it go because – what’s the point? Everyone is entitled to think as they want and think what they want is right – who am I to tell my partner/mates/etc that what they are thinking is wrong (I’m talking about facts/situations as well as opinions.)

I smile, I nod and I’m happy =P

On the other hand, one of my mates always has to be right – on everything and I’ve found that often leds her to get upset and aggravated when faced with someone who will fight their side of the corner and alot of people find her annoying because they can never really talk about anything, it always turns into a debate. It’s hard to be around someone when they always make you feel like you are informed and stupid.

In all honestly though, it takes a close-minded person to not be able to see something from someone esles point of view – even if you think you’re right from looking at it from their side – you most certainly will understand the importance of ‘letting it go’ if you do have that ‘empathy’ for why they hold that thought/opinion/fact etc…

http://www.spiritualzen.net/index.php/2009/05/27/learning-my-fathers-love-language/

One of my favorite sayings is, “I’d rather be happy then right.”

When I really stop and think about it, I mean really, has anyone EVER completely changed my mind on a subject just by something they said? No, not that I can remember. They may bring up some good points that I come away with and ponder later. After all, if I don’t come up with the idea on my own, it’s not a good idea right? EGO!

So I try to be understanding rather than understood when interacting with people, especially those I love. Attraction rather than promotion will get you much further and a lot happier than trying to change other people.

With all this in mind, how to I get to a place where I can choose happiness over being right? It all starts with my side of the street, keeping it clean and having a healthy relationship with myself. Loving myself for who I am and not constantly looking outside myself for validation. Such as ego boosting by demanding I’m right. I don’t need to be right, I just need to be happy and I get that from within.

Great story about your dad! I can relate (see shameless self-promotion link above). It actually eerily relates to your story…

My sister has been a member of the Landmark forum for years. I used to hate that when she would always call me on the weekends… I knew she was at one of those Landmark deals. I tried it once and it wasn’t for me. Looking back, I was in a bad place mentally at the time and wasn’t ready for real self-discovery yet. I wasn’t in enough pain yet. ;-) Pain is a great motivator! I’m happy to say, since that time, I’ve gone through much self-discovery and continue to on a daily basis.

Memories of unhappiness, quibbles and disappointments get in the way when we try to relate with our loved ones, creating invisible filters that distort our communications and experience.

One of the ways to identify the filters is to keep asking yourself “Why do I feel or react in this way?”. This will help you to become more aware of your inner state of mind, and only then will you stand a chance in removing them.

Thanks for sharing Leo

so profoundly simple. right or happy. most of us will face this choice even today.

thank you for this.