You're Wrong. I'm Right!

We all disagree sometimes.  Some of us have a harder time letting go of a disagreement than others.  Some of us feel the need to prove to ourselves and our spouse that we are "right".  Sometimes this need to be right can cause a great deal of pain, distress, and frustration in our relationship.  What do you get out of being right?  A sense of satisfaction maybe?  Bragging rights?  Are either of those benefits worth the pain you are causing yourself or your spouse?  Have you ever heard the question, "Would I rather be right or would I rather be kind?"  I would change the wording just a little so the question reads, "Would you rather be right or would you rather be happy?"  The temporary satisfaction of being right is probably not worth the damage it does to your relationship.  And in the long run, you are trading the peace and happiness of a good marriage for bragging rights over something that probably doesn't matter much in the first place.  The next time you disagree with your spouse, before you dig in your heels too hard or argue your point too vehemently, take a step back.  Take a deep breath.  Is this argument worth causing pain to yourself and your spouse?  Is this issue worth the unhappiness it will cause if I keep arguing?  When you weigh the cost and benefit of being right, is it really worth it?  Instead of being right, be gracious.  Instead of proving your point, prove your love to your spouse by letting go of the need to win the argument or be right.  When the choice is a happy marriage vs being right, choose carefully!  Your future happiness might be at stake.