A funny story is told about General George Patton from his World War II days. He once accepted an invitation to dine at a press camp in Africa. Wine was served in canteen cups but, obviously thinking he was served coffee, Patton poured cream into his cup. As he stirred in sugar, Patton was warned that his cup contained red wine and not coffee.
Now, General Patton could never, never be wrong. Without hesitating he replied, "I know. I like my wine this way." And he drank it!
I relate this story because I see something of myself, and perhaps most of us, here. It is difficult to admit mistakes. It is hard to admit when we are wrong. Three of life's most difficult words to say are, "I was wrong."Truly it is much easier to blog about the power of saying we were wrong and we are sorry for it than to go and say that to someone we have hurt by our mistakes!What is it that stops us from saying this? Probably ego, a false sense of pride, maybe shame or resignation or maybe a mixture of all these complex emotions...
But they are also three of the most powerful words we can utter. "I was wrong" breaks down barriers between people. It brings estranged people together. And it creates a climate where intimacy and love may flourish. You may be surprised at how positively many people respond to the words, "I was wrong"!
Naturally, it is a risk. But to admit when you are wrong is not to confess that you are a "bad" person. Simply an honest one and true friends will appreciate you for it. Whole and happy lives are built by people who have learned the power of intimacy, in part, through the use of the words "I was wrong."
Today when you read this post, if you remember a person whom you hurt by your refusal to admit your fault; then go ahead and apologize. It will take a huge load off your shoulders! Not all of us are fortunate enough to be able to apologize for our mistakes. For some it is too late and some are bound by their promises! To all the people in my life whom I hurt and didn't (and in some cases couldn't) apologize, "I was wrong!" & I hope you read this...)
Showing posts with label weaknesses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weaknesses. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Weakness or Strength???
Sometimes your biggest weakness can become your biggest strength. Take, for example, the story of one 10-year-old boy who decided to study judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.
The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move.
"Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?""This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the sensei replied.Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.
Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament.Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to
win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.
This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced.For a while, the boy appeared to be overmastered. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. "No," the sensei insisted, "Let him continue."Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake:
he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him.
The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion. On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind. "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?"
"You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second,the only known defence for that move is for your opponent to grip your left arm."The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.
Some Philo :P
Often we feel dejected when we see our weaknesses coz they expose us for the mortals that we are and not the heroes that we see ourselves as in our dreams and fantasies. However there exist those precious few who acknowledge their weaknesses and then try to see how they can use it to advantage. On a lighter note there exists in our hostel a student who has converted his weakness of extraordinary mugging to everlasting recognition and fame among our faculty!Any guesses who? :)
The boy began lessons with an old Japanese judo master. The boy was doing well, so he couldn't understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move.
"Sensei," the boy finally said, "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?""This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know," the sensei replied.Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.
Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament.Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to
win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.
This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced.For a while, the boy appeared to be overmastered. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened. "No," the sensei insisted, "Let him continue."Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake:
he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him.
The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion. On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind. "Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?"
"You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo. And second,the only known defence for that move is for your opponent to grip your left arm."The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.
Some Philo :P
Often we feel dejected when we see our weaknesses coz they expose us for the mortals that we are and not the heroes that we see ourselves as in our dreams and fantasies. However there exist those precious few who acknowledge their weaknesses and then try to see how they can use it to advantage. On a lighter note there exists in our hostel a student who has converted his weakness of extraordinary mugging to everlasting recognition and fame among our faculty!Any guesses who? :)
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