Stubbornness

I've always had a bit of a stubborn streak.  If it is something I don't want to do, I find ways to resist.  I do it subconsciously.  It isn't as though I intend to be recalcitrant, but it happens.

I like that word, recalcitrant.  According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary it means obstinately defiant of authority or restraint, stubbornly uncooperative or disobedient, difficult to manage or operate.  I could probably name a few people who would agree that it describes me -- at least part of the time.

Obstinate is another one of those words that I like.  Again, according to Merriam Webster it means stubbornly holding to an opinion, purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments or persuasion.  I like to call it "stick-to-it-iveness."  If you know you're right, you know it.  But I've been wrong before.  I like to joke that I was wrong once -- it was when I thought I was wrong but wasn't really.

We all have a stubborn streak in us.  Sometimes we aren't aware of the things about which we are stubborn.  I try to keep an open mind but occasionally, despite overwhelming opposition to what it is that I think, I know that I am correct.

Probably a better trait is to be tenacious.  Merriam Webster defines it as aggressively persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired.  It's actually very closely related to stubbornness or obstinance.  All are about sticking with it.  Holding fast.  It's the subtle differences that make all the difference.

Perhaps a little stubbornness is a good thing.  The key is to make sure it is directed constructively and not obdurately.  Now that's another good word.  It means stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing.

The photo below is of one of our neighbor's donkeys.  The donkey has long been symbolic of stubbornness.   It is also used symbolically in other ways which might better be described as obdurate.