You Can Be Right, Or You Can Be Happy

A long time ago, two brothers who were very close had a big fall out. They were only a year apart and grew up together sharing all kinds of experiences together. The reason for the big falling out was over lifestyle choices when they got older. One just could not tolerate how the other chose to live. As a result, they did not speak for at least 25 years. Fortunately, they were able to put the issue behind them and become close again.

Both brothers missed years of each other’s lives. The one who did not approve of the other's choices actually held a grudge against his brother. He became a sore topic if ever brought up by other family members. He actually became very mad whenever he thought about him.

Have you ever had a difference of opinion with anyone close to you? If so, maybe you can relate. "You can be right or you can be happy," is another old saying of everyday wisdom.

At the end of the day, what determines your life is your experience. Many times being right will not make your experience better; but worse. How valuable is being right in that case? Being right is what the egoic mind is identified with. It actually becomes part of one's identity.

Some people will put being right over their very lives. "I'll die for my chain," or "I'll kill if I'm disrespected." Being right is really not that serious. The ego has poor perspective and makes big deals out of minor things.

Happiness is a mere thought away. Being happy is to be without the egoic mind. It is freedom from an often irrational list of demands for the ego's well being. This list usually always causes resistance to what is and causes unnecessary stress.

The choice is always yours. You can be right or you can be happy.

Read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!