She had just finished bemoaning the budget blowout of Auckland’s new transport system.
I responded with my two cents.
I didn’t agree they were negligent. I didn’t agree they had failed. And I told her so.
Later at home, I realised I had chosen to be disagreeable. For the sake of being disagreeable.
Not for me.
Not for her.
Nor for Auckland Transport.
I wanted to counter her negative viewpoint with a positive one. And in the process, I was covertly elevating myself as the better person.
My friend’s passionate point was not mine to take away. Yet I’d done my best.
I chose to be disagreeable. I could have chosen curiosity instead.
Not to win her around to my way of thinking, but to understand hers.
To let her have her soapbox moment.
Because God knows, I have plenty of mine.
“The start of a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before it bursts.” Proverbs 17:14 MSG
Photo by Thomas Park on Unsplash
