The Relief of Not Being Right
We discover that it is a relief not to feel we always have to be right.
My addiction to being right used to be a full-time job. I would argue, defend, and exhaust myself to prove a point, not because I cared about the issue, but because I needed the validation of 'correctness' to feel secure. This defect poisoned my relationships and destroyed my peace. Step Ten brings the profound relief of discovering that I don't always have to be right.
Letting go of this need is a major spiritual gain. It frees up enormous amounts of mental energy. It costs me the fleeting, brittle high of winning an argument, but it rewards me with permanent internal peace. I can now listen, concede a point, or simply stay silent, knowing that my value does not depend on my intellectual superiority. I am safe regardless of who wins the debate.
I will not punish myself for yesterday's mistakes; that is playing God. I will accept the mercy my Higher Power offers, dust myself off, and begin this new day with a clean heart.
