I was proud of myself on Sunday

A friend challenged me on a comment I had made. His challenge made me agitated. I wanted to have a verbal sparing match with him and break down point-by-point why he should agree with my perspective. Instead, I remembered a conversation with a different friend from a month ago. He had pointed out that I am a “fighter” when backed into a corner. So, I decided to take a different approach.

I paused. I breathed. I let my feathers get unruffled. Then, I responded to the challenge by conceding he was right, and supporting his viewpoint. Strangely, after I pressed send, I felt good about my less emotional reaction. Moreover, when my friend responded, he stated some points I had wanted to make in my fictional debate in my mind. I was delighted.

It was a small change in behavior, but it I learned a means for not being stubborn. Shout out and a special thanks to that friend, who was willing to call me out on that bad behavior.