Not Everyone is Going to Agree With You
Not everyone is going to agree with you. In fact, someone will disagree with you pretty much all the time. Sometimes people might agree, but many times they will not.
There seems to be a whole group of people right now who think that if someone disagrees with them on even one single thing, then they are their enemy. Of course, this is not the way the world works. This planet is full of people with all kinds of different opinions, beliefs, priorities, fears, and backgrounds. How would we possibly expect everyone to agree with us on anything?
There have been times when I was trying to be innovative and take some risks, and the fact that people disagreed actually helped me know that I was on the right track!
In these days when everything is made political, it can be hard to remember the time when people could disagree and still get along or even be friends! Congress used to have difficult debates on important topics, then all go to lunch together and have a lovely time. This was even seen as a strength, which of course…IT WAS!
Americans have this wonderful ability to be passionate about our sports teams while remaining friends with those on the opposing side. I can cheer on my Atlanta Braves while supporting your love of the Astros. I can watch Penn State football games while you get ready to root for your Dawgs!
This is true in all kinds of other ways as well. I love my Phantom Regiment but am very happy if your Blue Devils have another stellar show. I want everyone to be great! I may spend more time at the Disney theme parks, but it doesn’t upset me if you prefer Universal. You may love horror movies and I like Pixar animated classics. You may love relish and onions on your hot dogs, but I would rather not! Some like cheesecake with Oreo pieces inside, and others like it without. The list goes on and on!
I encourage you to take a couple of deep breaths and step back from any ideas you have that everyone has to think exactly like you. It’s so much easier to get along in life if you remove this expectation and just move through your day trying to be kind and not hurt anyone.
Trust me, your blood pressure will be lower, your days will be sunnier, and you’ll laugh a lot more.
Tim Hinton
June 16, 2024
