First: you do know that in exercising your rights there is a price – yes? There’s also a cost when you don’t exercise them as well. How and what do you do to reconcile these two? Can they ever be compatible? Can you ever exert your rights without trampling on the rights of others? Is there really such a thing as win-win? There is a great deal to consider in acting on your own rights but I suspect we rarely take the time to consider the ramification from our actions.
However, if you don’t exercise your rights do you give others the right to take yours away? Do know that you do have the right to exercise your rights… as long as you don’t trample on others in the process. For me, one of the primary, overriding considerations is a quote by Burke: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” (Actually, Burke made a number of thought provoking statements.) This is the no compromise time. And no, this doesn’t make every difference an issue of my rights (a good) v. your rights (evil). But it does provide a context.
Part of my answer to those questions lies in the difference between need and want. If I’m exerting my rights based on something I need v. want then that produces an entirely different dynamic. However, the same issue of me v. them still can exist. Can we join to make it a concerted win for both of us? Obviously this depends on: the issue, the other person, the willingness of you and the other to ‘compromise’ – among other considerations. Do you want to produce a win-win or is the issue one of there really is only one answer?
One point to ask yourself is… is exercising (fill in the blank) your right or your privilege? These are two totally different mindsets and you need to be clear about which one you are asserting. Paul’s comments (1Corinthians 8:9; 10:23-24): “But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. … All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well being.” With this mindset our rights won’t be trampled on nor will we trample on others.
