Embrace those that agree with us and those who disagree with our positions. The benefits are many. Our core motives and beliefs need to be tested. Beliefs that cannot hold up to opposition need to be reflected on and re-researched.
Two things can happen. We can abandon old assumptions or we can find good reasons to hold on to them. We must be honest. We must do our due diligence.
I find many that I might have dismissed are among my best friends. The result is not that I agree with them on many subjects nor is it that they accept my precepts. It is because we experienced something of value about each other. Maybe it was an uncommon compassion or a skill in communicating that we admired. No matter what drew us to each other the end result was a blessing to each party.
There are times when meeting another's mind may not end with agreement nor relationship. No matter the outcome we are able to come away stronger. We can examine how we might have handled the situation better or be better prepared to handle a similar meeting of minds in the future.
An untested and unprepared mind is an accident waiting to happen.
Ask questions not to respond but to understand. Look for areas of agreement. Learn how to express yourself in a manner that supports effective communication.
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