My Second Heart Journey

Why Argue?

Since my heart transplant, I’ve noticed a change in myself. I don’t argue anymore.

If someone says something clearly designed to start an argument, I simply ignore it. In the past, I might have jumped right in, defended my position, and tried to prove I was right. Now I just smile and move on.

I’ve discovered that arguing rarely accomplishes anything. Most people aren’t listening to understand you. They’re just waiting for you to stop talking so they can tell you why you’re wrong.

This is especially true on social media. You could say the sky is blue, and within five minutes someone will tell you it’s actually turquoise, accuse you of spreading misinformation, and demand to know where you got your degree in atmospheric science.

Years ago, I might have spent half the day responding. Now I think, “You know what? Let them have their turquoise sky.”

Maybe it’s my new ticker. Perhaps Charles’s heart came with a built-in peacekeeping system. Or maybe I’m simply getting smarter in my old age. It took 73 years and a heart transplant, but I may finally be learning when to keep my mouth shut.

I’ve fought too hard to be here. I spent 67 days waiting in the ICU, went through a ten-hour surgery, and woke up with someone else’s heart beating inside me. I’m not wasting those precious beats arguing with a stranger on Facebook about politics, religion, stone sealers, or whether pineapple belongs on pizza.

Well, I might still argue about stone sealers. I do have standards.

But for most things, I’ve learned to let people think whatever they want. I don’t have to correct everyone. I don’t have to attend every argument I’m invited to.

My new heart has only so many beats, and I’d rather use them laughing, loving my family, writing another book, feeding my deer, or enjoying a cup of tea.

Why argue?

It’s just not worth the wear and tear on the ticker.

Frederick M. Hueston, author of My Heart Journey Book Series. A list of all my books are at www.Fredssecondheart.com