Choosing Battles

It seems life continually presents me with occasions in which I need to “choose my battles.”

In any situation, there are at least two sides, and more likely there are many more than that. In the midst of trying to figure out what’s what, people can get the idea that you’ve chosen “their” side, whatever that is. And they want you to fight, tooth and nail, for their position – in every single way – from the most minor decisions to the big picture.

I consider myself to be a fair-minded individual, willing to gather the facts and sort through the fiction, and arrive – hopefully – at a reasonable solution for any situation. In the process, it’s not uncommon for feathers to be ruffled and hackles to be raised (whatever hackles are). In the midst of that, it seems no one can accept that you cannot fight every battle – that you have to choose which ones you’re going to take on.

Who can fight every battle that crosses their path?

I choose my battles – not only for myself, but for others involved, too. If you make an issue of every single tiny detail it’s easy for people to blow you off – you’re a trouble maker and not worth their time. If you make careful decisions about what really matters and keep the big picture in mind, it’s better for everyone. At least that’s what I think.

I have to choose my battles.
1. I have limited time.
2. I have limited energy.
3. It’s the only smart thing to do.

Over the years I’ve had multiple opportunities to choose my battles. They seem to crop up when you least expect them and they keep on giving. At the end of the day someone’s always unhappy, and you’re left to figure out how you might have handled things differently. Sometimes there just isn’t a win-win situation, but you owe it to everyone to search for it nonetheless.