Two Cent Tuesday...and the two sides of the coin

In a controversial debate, both sides feel abused, maligned, picked on…if you listen to the comments and complaints, they are each saying much the same thing.

Both sides are fellow humans with passions and feelings, and should be treated as such.

Both sides feel they are as right as right can be, and that the other side couldn’t be more wrong.

Sometimes you have to accept that certain people are not going to like you for their own reasons, and you won’t be able to change that.

There are those, on both sides of the coin, who recognize that you don’t have to agree with someone to still like and respect them.   Those people are few and far in-between.

Folks on both sides of the coin can get self-righteous and downright mean when faced with opposition.  

Most of the time, both sides have some very heart-felt reasons for their stance. 

Arguing, name-calling, back-biting, anger:   None of these things help either side, ever.

If you can’t talk to the other side of the coin without the above, walking away is the best thing you can do.

No one can live a perfect life…don’t take it too personally when you’re called a hypocrite by the other side of the coin.  They are making mistakes and bad choices, too.   Everyone does, and theirs will show up eventually.

If, at some point, you realize you’re wrong, say you’re wrong.

Don’t compromise your convictions to end harassment for your beliefs.  Walking away is the better option.    If you know you’re right, you don’t have to defend yourself against those who would belittle you for your principles.   You won’t change them, anyway.

And lastly:  No matter how right you are, or even how much you try to stay neutral, there are those who will find fault with you, who will talk about you, and who won’t treat you the way they’d like to be treated.   It happens to everyone…