Look at a piece of abstract art with your family. Will any of you see the same thing? If 100 people looked at the same painting you would probably get at least 50 different opinions of what the painting was trying to express. Each observer creates their interpretation of the art through the filter of their life experience.

While looking at Vincent Van Gogh's "Starry Night" my son may feel the painting depicts meteors falling to the earth, but I might see God's grace descending upon the house. Were either of us wrong; were either of us right? My answer is both of us were right and both of us were wrong, depending on who interprets the answer.

Just as an artistic masterpiece by Monet or Picasso can be interpreted differently, so too can our every day conversations. These divergent interactions are what we call differences of opinion. Each of us sees the world differently, each of us experiences life differently, each of us may be correct in our interpretation.

Differences of opinion are what make-up the majority of our conversations. Many times it is the way in which we express these differences, rather than the differences themselves that create conflict.

Many years ago while studying the Foundation for Inner Peace's A Course in Miracles I came across a lesson that has changed my life and the lives of my children. That is, it is better to be kind than be right.

What this means is when it comes to differences of opinion, surrender your ego and see the divinity within another. This does not mean you become a doormat, it simply means that you learn to see that there is more than one perspective on everything.

For years I created so much conflict in my life because I had to be right, I had to make others see things the way that I did, I had to have the last word. My need to be right lead to years of arguments, fights, and unfulfilling relationships.

How often do differences of opinion cause conflict in your family, in your life, in your place of employment? How many arguments have you or your children had trying to prove a point? How different would your relationships with your children be if you honored the fact that they see the world in a different way? What would happen if you allowed your significant other to be right?

It is so freeing to allow others to have their opinions. It is so validating for another to feel heard and supported in their views. For the rest of today, count how many times you and your children felt the need to be right and what occurred from it. Then simply practice seeing the world through the eyes of another.

This simple act will not only uplift them, but it will also open up your mind to an expansive array of new life experiences.

May you and your children honor each other's opinions, may you learn to see the world through the eyes of another, and may you find deep love through the experience.

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Debbie Milam is the co-creator of "Empowering Our Children: Creating Connected Families, Classrooms, and Communities " . She is an occupational therapist and life coach whose work has been featured in over 300 media outlets including The Miami Herald, Elle, Ladies Home Journal, PBS and The Hallmark Channel. Visit her website for more books and resources to help you be a highly effective parent. Visit her online at www.bestyoucanbe.org and sign up for her newsletter to receive your special report, "Creating Peace Within Yourself and Your Family." © Copyright 2008 Debbie Milam.

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