The Gift of Giving Others the Benefit of the Doubt

I listened to a podcast today that was a fruitful dialogue between 2 people of radically different views. I felt that both of these people were earnest in their desire to build bridges. However, there was still, underneath it all, an assumption that one of the people believed that they were right and the other person was wrong, and that all that was needed was patience for the other person to come around.

I felt insulted on behalf of the other person simply hearing it, even though my views are more in line with that of the first person. If both parties truly want a reconciliation, then both of them must be open – truly open – to hearing the other out and possibly altering their viewpoint.

I believe that we are all doing the best we can with what we currently have, and that we all deserve that benefit of the doubt.

Quote of the Week

Give people the benefit of the doubt, over and over again, and do the same for yourself. Believe that you’re trying and that they’re trying. See the good in others, so it brings out the best in you.

― Liz Newman

Why we’re unhappy - the expectation gap

Announcements

Maryanne Nicholls is a Registered Psychotherapist.  To find out more, gain access to her weekly newsletter, meditations and programs, sign up at www.thejoyofliving.co . 

If you’re interested in the topic of avoiding burnout for people who do too much, you may be interested in checking out my youtube channel.