My family likes to argue. At dinner, driving home, watching TV, really wherever and whenever. Believe it or not, I used to hate arguing, and whenever they started, I just ignored it. So I guess the unusual circumstance I’ve been presented with is being born into an argumentative family when I was apathetic and didn’t like/care speak my mind when I should’ve. I honestly don’t remember when I inserted myself into their arguments (about politics, sports, history...really whatever), but it was about 1 or 2 years ago. Anyway, now I think I’m faced with the problem of being too argumentative, and getting extremely passionate about things that really don’t matter. Now, when I’m involved in an argument, I try to think to myself “Is this really the hill I want to die on?” And restrain myself before I get too deeply involved.
Every morning last year, on the way to school, my brother and I would listen to a political podcast. And every morning without fail, we argued about it. Even if we had the same opinion, we somehow found how to get into a disagreement. Now I know this isn’t an attractive quality to have, but I think, in the long run, it has actually helped: made me question others’ political views before blindly following them, made me think of the nuance of issues, and made me into someone, who, even if it took a long time, doesn’t really mind getting yelled at anymore.
And although it makes for some interesting socratic seminars, at least I’m speaking my mind.
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