I Need to Learn Humility

Two things I have read in the past week keep gnawing at me.

1. Differences of political opinion do not mean one side is wrong and one side is right. They are merely DIFFERENCES and should be expressed and explored as such. There is no need to "win" in a political discussion. This is what I pulled from a Newsweek piece last week.

2. Offenses may well be measured in degrees. I was reading Carolyn Hax's advice. Someone wrote in about a long-time friend who had suddenly done on 180 on something they had both always agreed on. Carolyn asked, "Was it wearing plaid with paisley?" Her point was clear: There are differences that define and differences which merely describe.

My brain keeps reflecting on these items and churning them around. We SHOULD be able to politely agree to disagree on many things. That includes religion and politics.

Frankly, all of us (and yes, I include myself) should take some old-fashioned lessons in manners. I believe that our grandparents (and perhaps our parents) knew better than we how to avoid discussions that would harm relationships, or how to keep those discussions CIVIL. I am as guilty as anyone ("WHEN will you have an answer?") at over-pressing someone in a hostile discussion.

As long as it's a discussion, it shouldn't be hostile. Hostility is for situations where you don't believe you have any further possibility of a benefit from staying civil to someone. Hostility burns bridges. You never know when you might need one if the waters start to rise.