Who Is Who?

Kim told me a story a few days ago about growing up with her sister Debbie, closest to her in age.  In the faith they grew up in, one would regularly meet one-on-one with the current bishop of their church to hear him offer advice and guidance on matters involving kids growing up.  Well Kim believed, and found it rather funny, that one particular bishop severely confused her and Debbie to the point where he offered counsel and recommendations based on believing he was talking to the other sister.  HA!  While Debbie was very diligent in doing things right and being a "good" girl in all matters, Kim was...well lets just say..not so "good" and into all kinds of mischief (by church standards at least) as she grew up.  She and her sister would laugh uncontrollably at the bishop's advice to each of them.  "Kim, you are doing incredibly well.  Keep up all your good work serving heavenly father."  Meanwhile, he would offer Debbie, "I'm concerned by some of the choices you are making lately.  Your grades are really suffering."

While the two girls probably should have offered their bishop their belief that he might have them confused, isn't it funny and interesting how convinced we get that we are right.  "There isn't any chance I'm mistaken on this one", we think and so hold steadfastly to our position.  And yet how many times does new information reveal that we were in fact partially if not completely wrong.  Whether it was the girls' bishop or they themselves who were mistaken, communicating from a place of openness rather than certainty and trying to truly understand all aspects of the situation and the other person makes best sense doesn't it?  Such an approach might lead to far less "Competing, Criticizing, and Controlling' if you ask me.  Wouldn't you agree...or am I mistaken?