What Really Matters?

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, lessons can be learned on what really matters in life. In the heat of an argument, the main thing to remember is to be respectful of others opinions while discussing your views. Fact of life, we will have disagreements on some things in life.

When I was in high school and college, I was on the debate team. One of the things I learned was there were several ways to win an argument. At first I thought it had to be brute force in convincing others. Yes, I have met many persons with good intentions that used anger and fear as their backbone to living life. I was petite and learned that kindness and soft answers were a real blow to some hot headed argument. When in the throws of an execution of disagreements, I could deliver a fatal blow with a soft answer. Wow was I totally surprised.

I had to remain calm, keep my cool and just make my point while the other person became red faced in anger. Have you ever been in a heated argument and remained calm? If you can remain calm while others are losing theirs, you have won the battle. You will feel the confidence building inside you. Your courage will flourish. Your inner strength will strengthen. Happiness and joy will abundantly flow in your life. You won't have regrets that send you into depression.

I admired Tim Russert for being a lifelong liberal who was fair and polite even with the hardest of the hard-line conservatives who appeared on Meet the Press. What really won me over to Tim Russert, however, was his unabashed love for his father and son relationship. He never concealed his devotion to his wife, but it was the way he magnified the special bond between grandfather, son, and grandson that became a hallmark for him.

Showing kindness, gratitude, and graciousness will gain you more respect and raise your credibility more than most of the stuff you're babbling about. In your own life, whatever you believe, utilize kindness and respect for other creatures. Don't be afraid to show your love for your family. You'll be admired and respected by others. Remember what really matters in life.

While writing this, I was reminded of Rudyard Kipling's poem IF.