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Choosing to stand up for whats right is not the same as being someone who enjoys arguing

This sounds so stupidly obvious now I've realised it... but i just figured out that being a person who stands up for what they believe in is not the same as being someone who enjoys confrontation.

For years I've always felt a certain amount of shame and have been labelled as 'someone who likes arguing' because I will often speak out when I see something that I think isn't right. I have a real thing about always doing whats right. That often presents in a positive way... going out of my way to help others. But it also often presents in a more aggressive way in cases where i see someone harming or disrespecting others. Because of that... i got the 'likes causing drama and arguing label' that I've always been ashamed of.

However.... i recently had to stand up to a horrible person. (For HP fans... think professor umbridge). They have caused a lot of harm and upset to so many.... not by necessarily being a bad person but by being heartless and caring only about figures on paper. I was given an opportunity to have a meeting with her and because shes not my boss... I thought I'd take the chance to give a few home truths and tell her how her attitude is greatly harming others. I have been dreading this meeting for days, getting anxious about it at night and during the meeting i had to keep my hands pressed against my thighs so she couldnt see my hands shake. At some point i found myself wondering why i was so nervous because arguing "is what i do" and i had a proper lightbulb moment where i realised just because I choose not to look the other way and to stand up for what I think is right, is not the same as picking arguements because I enjoy it.

Its so stupid obvious now I realise it. I guess i just wanted to make the point here in case theres anyone out there who is the same and hasn't had their lightbulb moment yet. Maybe i can save you the years of shame I've felt about myself 馃檲 I'd love to know if anyone else is the same?
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SW-User
I tend to just be myself. Not much arguing. I like to listen. And I have this tendency to actually be bowled over by the words of others, spoken or written, to the extent that I "feel" them to be indisputable truth as I hear them or read them. I need solitude to get back to myself. To see through what has been said.

But yes, some just like to argue. Some have absorbed opinions, become "conformed" to the spirit of the age as it has imposed itself upon them. Then being right "justifies" them. The actual [i]reality[/i] and import and consequences of their views are not thought of by them in any profound way. They simply want to [i]be right[/i], win the argument.

I'm waffling.......

馃榾
RebelHeart36-40, F
@SW-User that's really interesting. do you find that feeling things that way is a good thing becaue it makes you more understanding of others or do you find it hard because you're taking on so many other peoples emotions?
SW-User
@RebelHeart It is just something I have noticed more and more - that I can't simply dismiss any opinion, or censor it, while I actually listen or read. I seem to absorb it as truth. It is maybe why I find a lot of religious believers disturbing.

In the past I have been called a hypocrite, a liar and damned more than once by others. I have even been called the antichrist. I am a vulnerable person (no matter what impression I give) Such words and judgements were not water off a ducks back. I'm tougher now though.

But reading your words, maybe, yes, it could bring out a degree of empathy for others, of seeing through the eyes of others.

Thank you for your perspective.

All the best