A friend whose bread and butter are bought by her her husband's ability to win arguments told me a secret. He carries a small piece of paper around in his pocket with four words written on it. 

"He may be right"

On occasion he takes it out, reads it again, and considers. This possibility can erode even a rock hard position, shifting the stance of certainty.

What would it be like if we were so insulated from the world that we could maintain the illusion that we are in fact always in the right? Such ignorance would be a wall between us and everyone we care about. 

I read a book once that pinned success in business on management's ability to respond to customer suggestions. Complaints even. 

"It's too hard to reach jars on the top shelf" 

So they instruct the stock boys to put them lower down.

Long ago I was whining to my sister about a child's behavior. I cannot, nor do I need to recall what the infraction entailed. But I know well what she said. 

"It would be hard to be your kid."

What? You mean being dragged from ceramics class to dance, neither of which was for you but for your sibling? Occasionally being left behind because someone forgot to count heads? Moving in a pack of six children without ever having a chance to be alone? If you are an extrovert you could sustain it, but several of our progeny are not. One time after the gang all came in from the van I noticed that one daughter didn't. She saw her golden moment for solitude and stayed put in the back seat. 

I suppose I too could stick a reminder in my pocket. As long as I take the time to read it.