Tenaciously clinging to long held beliefs can be both admirable and foolish. It is admirable in that strength of conviction compels one to contend for the values one holds. It is foolish when that to which one holds does not measure up to truth.
All of us hold certain truths inviolable. We have a hard time convincing ourselves to deviate from policy or public perception. What do we do when truth stares us in the face yet expediency compels us to cleave to our long held beliefs? Many times we lash out in defense of beliefs we know in our hearts are not true but they have become so ingrained in our minds they might as well be true. Paranoia sets in as we somewhat believe we are right and everyone else is not right.
Whether we are right or not,the appropriate behavior is to courteously acknowledge the disagreement and learn to respect each other's wishes. Allowing yourself to be wrong can be cathartic. Allowing someone else to be right is humbling. Either way a win-win situation ensues without rancor and discord.
There are issues worth fighting for. The key is to know when to fight and when to agreeably disagree.
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