I told you so!

So, today I am vowing never to say those words again...ever.  I am not going to even say them non-verbally.  I said when I started this blog that I would find teachers to help me be more of a swan...well, I learned a really good lesson today about those words...

So, here's the deal.  I had taken a pretty firm stand on an issue at work.  I still think I am right, but circumstances have led me to reconsider a suggestion that someone had made almost a year ago.  I discussed how my thoughts had changed on the subject and why with that person.  He agreed with me (all the while not bringing up that he had suggested it originally) and tried to make suggestions about how I might minimize the bad effects of doing what he had suggested a year ago.  He never ONCE said "I told you so." He didn't do it verbally or non-verbally.  He just smiled and nodded and agreed to help and it wasn't that condescending, patronizing nod and smile. There is another guy in my life who, while not saying the words, will nod and smile condescendingly.  He is the master of saying "I told you so", without ACTUALLY saying the words.

I liked that it was safe to change my mind and tell him so without having it thrown back in my face....I want other people to feel just as safe with me when they change their minds and come around to my way of thinking. 

It all comes down to a certain humility I think.  What other reason could there be for telling someone "I told you so," except for prideful reasons?  That kind of pride has no place in my life and I appreciate the lesson in humility.