When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind. – Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
A few weeks ago I read Wonder by R.J. Palacio. One word: Amazing! I love to read and can usually find redeeming qualities in just about any title I pick up, but this one blew me away. There is just so much to get from this one book. I want to read it to my 9 and 5 year olds. I want to have all the teachers I work with read it. I want to have every parent I ever come into contact with read it. It. Is. That. Good!
One of my favorite parts in this book is the English teacher’s monthly precepts. The one above is the first he gives to his new fifth-grade class. Take a minute and read it again…I’ll wait…
Wow!
Honestly, I had never heard of Dr. Wayne W. Dyer before. So I did what anyone in the 21st century does when they need to know something: I googled him. (And linked his bio in case you are in the same boat I was.) It’s a pretty brilliant statement really, and a rule I tend to forget. I hate to admit it, but I love to be right. I hate being wrong. But then again, who does? So, maybe I need to choose to compliment my daughter’s creativity when she is wearing one neon orange sock, and one neon green sock, with a purple and black dress, instead of insisting that she needs to go change. Maybe I need to not remind my husband that I’ve already told him what time my meeting is three times, and just tell him again. I’m positive that there are many more opportunities to choose kindness over rightness every single day in my job, in my friendships, and in my home. How about you?
Do you need to remember this advice and take this precept to heart?
