Disclosure: This article contains affiliate advertising.<\/p>\n
\u201cI may face left, and you may face right.\u201d<\/p>Natsume Soseki<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n
Translated for this article from an excerpt of Soseki\u2019s \u201c\u79c1\u306e\u500b\u4eba\u4e3b\u7fa9.\u201d This is not an official English translation. The surrounding passage discusses freedom for oneself and others, with a qualification concerning effects on others.<\/p>\n
You recommend a film you loved. The other person was not impressed.<\/p>\n
It is only a difference in taste. Yet it can feel as if they rejected a small part of you.<\/p>\n
Soon, sharing your enjoyment becomes a presentation designed to change their mind.<\/p>\n
Here is my own everyday reflection on Soseki\u2019s words.<\/p>\n
Agreement is not the only successful ending<\/h2>\n
It feels good when someone enjoys what we enjoy.<\/p>\n
But a conversation can continue without matching conclusions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat didn\u2019t work for you?\u201d
\u201cI hadn\u2019t seen it that way.\u201d<\/p>\nAsk to understand, rather than to win agreement.<\/p>\n
Your enjoyment does not need endless defending<\/h2>\n
You can also say, \u201cThis is the part I love,\u201d and leave it there.<\/p>\n
Not demanding agreement does not mean withdrawing your own feelings.<\/p>\n
There can be room for your enjoyment and their different response.<\/p>\n
Respect still leaves room for boundaries<\/h2>\n
Respecting differences does not require accepting harmful behavior. Shared work needs agreements, and difficulties may need clear boundaries.<\/p>\n
But a difference in taste does not always need a winner.<\/p>\n
Next time opinions diverge, pause before persuading\u2014or assuming you have been disliked.<\/p>\n
You can face different directions and still remain in conversation.<\/p>\n
Quotation and background source: Aozora Bunko: Natsume Soseki, \u201c\u79c1\u306e\u500b\u4eba\u4e3b\u7fa9\u201d (Japanese)<\/a>.<\/p>\n
How are you feeling today?<\/h2>\n
Struggling with relationships? Explore more words for connection.<\/a><\/p>\n