Oops! It happened again. David meant to express empathy and concern to his father, who was upset about a business problem. Instead, he blurted out,
“Well, don’t expect me to do anything! I have no time to waste on stuff like that!” As soon as it was out of his mouth, he knew…. he’d done it again.
It was supposed to be just an ordinary conversation. All you really wanted was to get your point across – quietly and without conflict. But, suddenly, there you are again – in the middle of an argument you’d planned to avoid. And, once again, someone is angry at you –Continue Reading
HABIT: an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/habit) When I started this blog, my plan was to write at least two posts each week! Well – a quick glance at my posts will quickly show that I’m not even close to achieving thatContinue Reading
If only those folks who are so irritating knew how you really feel! How angry, frustrated, upset you get when they just haven’t gotten the point! If only they knew and would change their attitudes so that you could get your needs met and so that they could help youContinue Reading
Ordinary communication – with the shoe repair person, the waiter, the salesperson at the mall – this should be simple. Shouldn’t it? But, have you ever done a little eavesdropping on some of those conversations that pass through your routine daily life? Ever notice the way some conflicts start? Lately,Continue Reading
Recent experiences have left me pondering on just how easily good intentions can end up with one or more people feeling hurt, angry, and surprised that others didn’t “get” them. In the process of observing myself and others as we all just try to be understood, I’ve gathered some randomContinue Reading
Starting and maintaining a blog, I’ve been discovering, is somewhat like beginning a new friendship. It won’t last, won’t thrive, if you don’t continue to nurture and grow it. Just like with many new friendships, one of the challenges of keeping a blog going is that lots of attention isContinue Reading
Does this sound familiar? It’s time again for one of those obligatory family get-togethers. An important birthday, a special event, a major holiday – whatever the reason, you’re faced with one more day of the same old conflict, those familiar arguments, that temporary age regression that leaves you feeling likeContinue Reading
You may have experienced more than once that “I shoulda said…” moment, after being hit with an unexpected comment from a friend or colleague. And – I suspect that, like me, you’ve also occasionally found yourself thinking about how you could have avoided the conflict and anger that arose fromContinue Reading
Many years ago, while out walking with a friend and her four year old daughter, we stopped at the park for a few minutes of play time. Another child around the same age came up to us, pushed my friend’s child and tried to grab the toy she was holding,Continue Reading