What Is Your Superpower?

Someone noticed yesterday that on some subjects I will pre-emptively state my opinion of a conceptual error people make if they hold certain positions. The reason is that there are some things, for instance the definition of “X” that need to be clarified. If I say “such and such an attitude is X” people can then say “wow! You’re telling me I’m an X?”

And I can honestly say: “no, you’re calling yourself one. You are the one who said you have that attitude, not me. I just said what that attitude defines.”

Is that slippery? A bit. But consider the opposite. “No, I believe such and such, but I’m not an X”

And I answer: “Ummm…well, the dictionary would disagree with you.”

NOW we have a fight. And it’s worse. Same honesty both times. Same necessary communication IMO. But less confrontation, and less conflict, and no public humiliation (if humiliation is what they feel). I’ve stated my position clearly, and they can either just think about that, OR they can choose to push the issue and put their business in the street, which is fine.

But I didn’t call them out on it publicly, and I prefer that. If I have to speak my truth, I’d rather do it without calling people names.

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I’m skipping around Dawn’s principles a bit, based on what strikes me as important at the time.

6. Don’t Quit. Look at what stops you, at where you give up the effort. That is where you’ll discover the line that separates heroes…