Ah, the age-old dilemma: do you want to be right or do you want to be happy? It’s a question that’s been asked by philosophers, therapists, and couples counselors alike. And while it may seem like a no-brainer to choose happiness over being right, it’s not always so easy in practice.
Let’s face it, we all have egos. And sometimes, our ego gets in the way of our happiness. We become so attached to being right that we’re willing to sacrifice our own well-being just to prove a point. But what’s the point of being right if you’re miserable in the process?
Take my friend Jeffrey, for example. He’s one of the most stubborn people I know. If he thinks he’s right about something, he will go to great lengths to prove it. Even if it means arguing with his wife for hours on end. He just can’t stand the thought of being wrong.
One day, Jeffrey and his wife were at a restaurant, and they got into a heated debate about the lyrics to a song. Jeffrey was convinced he was right, and his wife was just as convinced that he was wrong. The argument got so intense that they ended up leaving the restaurant without eating. Now you’re hungry and miserable – nice work!
Later that night, Jeffrey was still fuming about the argument. He couldn’t believe his wife didn’t see things his way. But then, he had an epiphany. He realized that his ego was getting in the way of his happiness. He didn’t want to be right anymore, he just wanted to be happy.
So, he called his wife and apologized for his behavior. He told her that he didn’t care who was right or wrong about the song lyrics, he just wanted to enjoy their time together. And you know what? They ended up having a great night. They went to a movie, had a great time, and had a good laugh about their silly argument.
The lesson here is that sometimes, it’s better to let go of our need to be right and focus on what really matters: our relationships and our happiness and Finding happiness in small things. Our ego can be a powerful force, but it doesn’t have to control us. We can choose to put it aside and prioritize our well-being instead.
In the end, being right might feel good in the moment, but it’s not worth sacrificing our happiness over. So the next time you find yourself in an argument, ask yourself: do you want to be right or do you want to be happy? The choice is yours.
Check out the podcast episode…
Check out the Happiness 2.0 Podcast – https://podcast.edwardgdunn.com/
