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When I listen to talk radio it never ceases to amaze me how many people phone in and say the “previous caller was wrong”
Communication levels in South Africa fail hopelessly for the simple reason one person fails to listen to the other and then has the audacity to tell the other person they are wrong. Who gives anyone this right – to tell another they are wrong?
We are all entitled to our opinions and to express our opinions and, irrespective of what source we base our knowledge on what we have learned and what we accept is based on our personal choice.
If I read something I have the right to accept or reject what I read – I have the right to accept or reject the opinion of the author. But just because I believe what I have read does not make the content indisputable. What I believe after reading it is my choice. Two or more people may read the same book and can have a wide variety of opinions on what has been read. So who is right?
The problem of course is that we all want to be right and we all like to be right – so who should decide on who is right? We each have the right to decide what is right for us individually but we do not have the right to decide what is right for others. God gave us freedom of choice and the right to choose what we believe. No one has the right to tell us what we believe is wrong - all must respect our freedom of choice.
If I have a message, such as this one that I want to share with you that is my right but I do not have the right to tell you that you are wrong if you disagree with me. I can bring my message to you and it is up to you to accept it or reject it. I must not try to change you or change your opinion. I can share the message and leave the rest up to you. Bring the message to the people but do not try to change the people. Change will take care of itself.
Its high time in my opinion, that people in general start to listen to others. In doing so they might learn something. It’s time we all started to listen and to allow the speaker to finish before formulation a response – this is quite common. Failure to listen, failure to allow the other person to finish, and failure to ensure clarity of understanding before responding will lead to conflict. Telling another person they are wrong is a guaranteed road to conflict.
When was the last time you had an argument with your child, you wife, your husband or your manager. What caused it and what role did listening have to play. Was the argument not perhaps about a difference in opinion and who was right?
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