I’m a pretty stubborn person. Over the years, I’ve made decisions that have had both positive and negative results based purely on my refusal to submit to a perceived societal or government subjugation. Whether realizing it or not, you’ve probably done the same. There are certain lines that can’t be crossed, if they are, a relationship, friendship or job ends up fading into the rearview mirror.
Having strong convictions and opinions on what you will or won’t tolerate isn’t necessarily a bad trait to have; however, being stubborn provides an additional hurdle that can often impede positive progress in our lives.
I moved to South Carolina about a week after my 11th birthday and needed to enroll in sixth grade. When my Mom took me to school, the counselors asked that I take a placement test to understand which level of classes I needed to be placed into (below average, average, above average or honors).
I was unhappy that we moved and had zero desire to put forth any effort in providing my answers. I purposely didn’t try and failed the test miserably. A few days later, my results proved unsatisfactory for anything other than below average, which was where I was placed for the entirety of my 6th grade year.
Stubbornness impacted my academic trajectory. Although I slowly worked my way back up, it wasn’t until the eighth grade that I was able to improve my grades and test scores in order to be included in above average classes.
How often do we allow differences of opinion in politics or religion to impact our interactions? We have our own thoughts on the matter and how we think or feel is correct. There’s no room for understanding or welcoming a different viewpoint.
The political side has become especially contentious in recent years. Families are being torn apart for lack of civil conversation and understanding on why someone may think the way they do. We’re stubborn and don’t want to hear what someone else has to say on the matter. We’re right, they’re wrong, that’s the end of it.
The price we pay is that of a society constantly in conflict with one another. If we all felt the same way about everything, we’d be robots, programmed to agree or disagree depending on the situation presented to us. The thought of this is not only boring, it’s completely unrealistic. If we accept this to be true, we can open the possibility of cordial interactions with one another rather than screaming matches via social media.
It can be difficult to separate being stubborn from having a particular set of ideals. There are aspects of our belief system that are unimpeachable, regardless of how many conversations we may have on the subject. You’re dug in and won’t budge, no one will change your mind, or so you think.
If you’re similar to me, I’m sure you’ve had your mind shifted or even changed over the years. Again, certain subjects are immovable and that’s perfectly fine, but there are others that live in a gray area, open to interpretation or even a change in mindset. Removing the hurdle of stubbornness provides an opportunity for growth and change we wouldn’t otherwise experience.
The gift of knowledge and understanding is the end result when we remove the act of being stubborn from the equation. It’s hard to do, but it’s a price we must pay to continue to evolve in an ever changing world.
Perhaps this resonates with some of you or perhaps you were too stubborn to read past the title.
