My baby brother (ten years my
junior) is an expert on many things, so I ask his advice on occasion. His
outlook on the world differs from mine; he possesses bravado and the
self-confidence to walk into any social situation.
Nevertheless, regarding a recent
dilemma, I was surprised by his aggressive approach that had the potential to
exacerbate the conflict. By
contrast, I hoped to solve the problem without ruffling feathers.
As I mulled over the matter, I
realized that I almost yielded my sense of autonomy to my brother’s modus
operandi.
How often we (especially women)
accept another person’s opinion over our own (perhaps “good-enough”) judgment, resulting in an abandonment of our
personal power, I thought.
Ms. D. is an example. An intelligent, middle-aged woman with
years of experience living with a husband who lacked a good business sense, she
participated in their last business venture that resulted in bankruptcy. She
acknowledged that she had yielded to him knowingly and committed the same
mistake again and again.
What factor (s) lie behind the
surrender of our better judgment is worth asking ourselves. We could be
governed by self-hate, a lack of trust in ourselves, or the simple preference
to be a backseat driver.
Conclusion: Many factors may
underpin sacrificing our personal power to others. Regardless of the cause, becoming aware of this tendency
gives us the choice to change the pattern. We can diminish life’s frustrations
and improve relationships with others (whom we might otherwise blame).
Dear Reader, I welcome your
thoughts. Jsimon145@gmail.com
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