My Riffs

How many times has an argument led to something positive? Don't argue, just show them.

Some of the best advice you can take on handling rude and inconsiderate people is to simply turn the other cheek. To not try and stop them, because you likely aren't going to change a rude person. Let their true colours come out for all to see.

The US Presidential election campaign had me thinking. What's the best way to fight your opponent. I'm not convinced putting them down is the best way. I submit that if someone would instead paint a better picture than their opponent, that would be far more powerful. Point to something better rather than trying to tear down your opponent.

There is such thing as healthy conflict. It's just a tough thing to keep it healthy. It takes two mature parties to keep conflict healthy. This goes for politics, groups, relationships and couples. Once conflict becomes unhealthy it's best to disengage until it can be healthy again. Healthy conflict can be a very productive tool.

If you're heading somewhere good, make room for someone to come with you. Even someone you completely disagree with. Don't close the door and burn the bridge to them. Or else they will never come your way. Leave the bridge there and the door open so they can go with you where you're headed. Saying nasty things can easily destroy that bridge. Even if they're seemingly wrong, you don't have to burn the bridge and close the door. You can walk towards something better and invite them along. Make room for them to join you.

The better way to resolve something is to start with what you have in common rather than your differences.

I think a better test of relationship is how well you can disagree. It's easy to get along when you agree, but how do you handle disagreement? That's the better test of relationship.

The world seems to be becoming more and more polarizing. You are either one side or another. You can only hold one line of thinking or another. And those on the other side are the worst kind of people. The needless polarizing of issues is creating an atmosphere of hostility and hatred. We're all wrong somewhere in our thinking and actions, so let's give others the same latitude.

There’s people on the other side of the issue from you. If we can sit down and talk without all the baggage, overhead and pressure, we realize we’re closer than we’re being told.

In conflict resolution the best approach is to de-escalate. Always try and turn the temperature down. Don’t match the temperature of the aggravated party, lower it. This is WAY harder to do in practice though. It takes a level of self discipline that is learned through much, much practice.