I was asked at a supper recently if I believed in heaven. Now this is a question that I have thought about in the past and generally have not given too much thought to my answer, as I repeat what I was taught as a child, which was that when I died I would go to heaven. It was part of my religious heritage, and I was taught those traditions and ceremonies, so when I was asked the other night if I believed in heaven, I hesitated, and said I believe in something but exactly what that is I don’t know, and whatever it is I am sure will be fine.
This well thought out and vague rationale seemed to spark off a very lively discussion around the table.
Someone told me that they had no doubt that heaven existed and that it would be perfect, and went on to give a very detailed description of a heaven that was like earth only perfect in every way. The discussion continued and soon the range of beliefs were being explored, no one was insisting that they were right, but I imagine everyone was quietly confident that their belief was closer to the truth than the others.
It was a stimulating conversation, and though the beliefs around the table differed there was one point everyone could agree on. That point was, not important that we shove our beliefs down someone else's throat (metaphorically speaking) insisting we are right and being deaf to their protestations, rather that we accept other points of view, because in the final analysis no one knew for certain if their heaven exists or not, because what was important to them was that their faith was more important than any argument that may be presented.
It appears to me that in life and business the need to be right gets in the way of understanding, gets in the way of reason, and has led to many bad choices being made. I have sat in on many meetings where I witness someone hijacking the issues to insist that their way is the only way, their need to be always right (which I see as sure sign of insecurity and vanity) gets in the way of reason, logic and often the truth. It is worth examining the facts in every situation, and if need be examine our need always to be right.
I know people who will tell me with some degree of pride that they never lose an argument. Indeed I know people who will tell you they have never lost an argument, without exception they are protecting fragile ego’s, they have high opinions of themselves, so in their minds should they lose an argument, then people will think they are stupid, which is something they will not allow to happen.
So as we sat around discussing heaven, it was refreshing that no one was insistent that they were right, or more importantly that others were wrong.
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