Consider Both Sides

In every relationship, between friends, siblings, parents and children, spouses….there will be disagreements.

Your friends will, on occasion, be hurt by something you say or don’t say.

Your husband or wife will, from time to time, want to point out, with good reason, that you are being a total and complete jerk about something.

Your siblings will, and undoubtedly have, think you have made a really stupid decision or that you’re just out of your mind.

Your children will, someday, shock you with their behavior, their mouthiness, or their general inability to deal with reality, as you see it.

And all of these disagreements go both ways…that is, you will be hurt, you will feel like your spouse is a jerk, your siblings are crazy and your parents are out of touch with reality.

So here’s the shocking truth. You are not right all the time. Every other person you live with has a “side” to the argument that you don’t or won’t see. And if they become so frustrated with your inability to understand, your reluctance to compromise, your failure to listen….that they lose it, that does not make you right and them wrong. Just ask “psycho mom.”

Think of it. Maybe you have made an issue so black and white, that there is no way to even see another’s point of view and no motivation at all for them to see yours.

It is wise to listen very well, even if it's hard to get past the words to the real meaning.

Relationships are about negotiation and compromise. The give and take makes us better people, nicer people, more considerate and less contentious.

Besides, the possiblity does exist that you could be wrong.