Being 'Right' and 'Wrong'

Peter came from a family where there was much conflicts and quarreling. Because of it, he was very troubled and tried various ways to try to solve this problem within his family. However, there was no result.

On the other hand, Peter have a friend, named Ryan. Ryan's family hardly quarrel and were always very understanding towards each other. Thus Peter decided to seek the advice of Ryan and he asked, " Ryan, tell me what is the secret behind your family? As compared to many others, you guys never seem to have much conflicts and would always seek to put yourselves in each other shoes. How did you all do it?" Ryan answered, "It is very simple. It is because your family possessed all the right attitudes while mine having all the wrong ones."

Upon hearing the reply, Peter got upset as he thought Ryan was trying to be sarcastic. Ryan quickly explained himself, "Don't get me wrong, I was not trying to be sarcastic. Let me give you an example. If there was a glass of water placed on the table by my wife and I accidentally spill it, I would quickly go to my wife and tell her that it was my fault and I am the person in the wrong. Upon hearing my apologies, my wife would also apologize immediately stating that she is in the wrong for placing the glass of water at a place where it was not easily seen thus causing the spillage. We have all the 'wrong' attitudes because we chose to admit our mistakes. However in your family, the problem lies in that everyone always thinks that they are 'right'. None of you would want to give in and apologize when something goes wrong. That is why there are always so many conflicts."

Bobby Lee Waihong would always say in Hokkien, "Saying sorry would not cause you to lose a part of your flesh...". True!