Believing In One's Position

"You think you're right, don't you?" Vicki stood looking at me as if she had made some sort of accusation.

Puzzled, I asked my cousin what she meant. "You're right; that's what you think," came the response.

Still mystified, I stammered out, "Of course. I wouldn't have said it if I didn't."

"That's what I thought," my cousin said and walked off as if she had made some sort of point.

I was confused. She did NOT accuse me of believing I am always right about everything. I could have at least understood her attitude if she had said that. She just berated me for believing I was right in this instance.

Somehow, that did not strike me as a character flaw. Instead, believing in one's position and being able to defend it seems to me to be more of an asset.

Much time has passed since that conversation. I don't even remember the subject matter we were discussing. But I have never forgotten the odd outcome. It comes to mind occasionally when someone will ironically voice the view that people should not express opinions. I know they think they're right.

That's my two cents.

Wade Houston
September 8, 2007