I challenge you, however, to think about this concept— different does not equal wrong. When it comes to relationships with one another, our perceptions, our way of languaging life, our way of making sense of the world may simply be different from another person’s way of thinking. We are all unique individuals and see the world differently. All too often our human nature causes us to think my way is the right way and your way is the wrong way. Being stuck in this kind of thinking can be destructive to relationships. A “my way or the highway” mentality leads to conflict, power struggles, misunderstanding, and misperceptions. Believing that my way is the only way squashes freedom and creates disrespect among family members, friends, or colleagues.

Let me share an anecdote from my own personal experience to further explain how the concept of different does not equal wrong can play out in every day life. My husband and I are empty nesters and both lead very busy lives. On a good day we plan what we are going to have for dinner before leaving the house in the morning. The person who gets home first then starts the nightly meal preparation. Sounds like a great plan---right? The challenge comes for me because Phill’s way and my way are completely opposite. He is creative and I am by-the-book, clean as you go. Without even realizing my own control issues, I sometimes find myself stuck in the paradigm of my way is the right way. Fortunately, Phill has been patient with my kitchen “rules” and given me time to realize that different does not equal wrong. And, much to my dismay, I have learned that his way may even be better than my way.

Take a moment to think about your own views about this concept--- different does not equal wrong. Do you agree? Can you think of examples of the way that this concept works in your life? We all come to a relationship with thoughts, feelings, ideas, and perceptions of the world. It sounds so very simple, this idea that situations can be different and not about right or wrong. The problem comes when we get stressed and busy and our need to control comes into play. During those times, it may be difficult to believe that there is more than one way to look at a situation or a problem. Perhaps it isn’t easy to see that there really might be more than one right answer. There may be a different way that isn’t wrong.

I often see this dynamic playing out as I work with couples. I sometimes refer to the dynamic as the he said/she said way of explaining the situation. The husband will relate an incident and the wife will dispute the account suggesting that her version is the correct version and the husband is wrong. Or vice versa. Often we can resolve hurt feelings, assumptions and misunderstandings when each person realizes that it isn’t about right or wrong, it’s just different. Looking at issues in this light gives opportunity for dialogue, listening, compromising, and negotiation.

Parents, this same dynamic works in your relationship with your children. Take for example working with children on doing their chores. Children often say, “I did the very best job that I could and all my mother did was criticize and tell me I need to do it better. It makes me not even want to try.” Of course there is the opposite side of the issue in which a child may only half-heartedly do a job that does need some evaluating. If our goal is to help our children become self-sufficient, successful adults, perhaps letting their different way be right rather than wrong will lead to a general sense of well being and happiness.

A good litmus test for the dynamic of different does not equal wrong is this question, “In the grand scheme of life does it matter?” Does it really matter which pot my husband cooks the green beans in? Does it matter if he cleans up as he goes or cleans up afterward? Does it matter if my way and his/her way is different? If so, how does it matter? Can I allow the other person the freedom to see things in a totally different way that is not right or wrong only different.

What do you think? Do you agree that different does not equal wrong? I would love to hear from you. I invite your comments and ideas about seeing differences, honoring one another, and accepting their gifts and abilities as unique and valuable.