One day the wind and sun got into an argument. As you do. The argument was over who was stronger.
Then wind was convinced he was much stronger, and blew and blew, until trees were felled, cars upturned, and the sea was raging cauldron of waves.
The sun looked on. It was an impressive display, for sure, all that bluster. But still the sun said he was stronger.
So the wind challenged the sun to a competition.
‘‘See that man down there?’ said the wind, pointing to a man who was walking calmly along the street during his lunch hour. ‘ I challenge you to force him to take his coat off. The first to make him do this is the winner.’
The sun agreed to the challenge, and the wind took up the task while the sun watched on quietly.
The wind blew and blew, stronger and stronger. But the more the wind raged, the tighter the man held on to his coat. So the wind blew harder, but the man bent over even further against the wind, gripping on to his coat for dear life and through gritted teeth.
Finally, exhausted, the wind receded – unsuccessful.
It was the sun’s turn.
The sun smiled, then began gently to shine. Nice and easy.
The man stood up from his tight huddle, and he looked around. He walked on for a little until he spotted a bench. Then the man removed his coat, folded it neatly beside him and sat down. All smiles.
You see, sometimes the best way to make progress, when we hit a dead end, is to change direction, change tack. Try a different approach. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. What would make them happy?
Often the angrier we get with someone, the more entrenched and angry they become back. Try just being nice instead! Talk to them, listen to them, go the extra mile to do something thoughtful for them.
Because, so often, being nice wins over just being angry.
-Bear Grylls, A survival Guide for Life
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