Arguments are a “you versus me” battle and almost always have the goal of one participant winning and the other losing. Relationships, however, are not built on opposition. Meaningful relationships consist of two players who are on the same team and should work toward a common goal. Try to make the goal be achieving resolution, rather than winning.
Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship. Friendship is more important that one small fight; make sure you practice this.
Bringing up the past in an argument creates resentment, prevents the real issue from being discussed and shows you haven’t forgiven them for it; additionally, the current argument will not be resolved.
When you realise you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it. Don’t let your pride get in the way of taking those steps. Apologise, taking full responsibility. That will speak for your character more strongly than the action of making the mistake in the first place.
If you push someone too far, they will react to the pushing, not about what you are arguing for. Persuasiveness is more effective than force; gentleness does more than violence.
William Arthur Ward said “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” Showing someone you are grateful for their thoughts and actions towards you will make you both feel good.
A truly effective manager sets up those around them to succeed. Good managers empower their employees to do well by giving opportunities to excel.
Passing around a smile to as many people as possible makes you feel good as well as them! Don’t judge their reactions, don’t take it personally if they don’t want to join in, and do keep persisting!
Forgiveness is letting go of the pain and accepting what has happened, because it will not change. Forgiveness is dismissing the blame. Choices were made that caused the hurt; we each could have chosen differently, but we didn’t. Forgiveness is looking at the pain, learning the lessons it has produced, and understanding what we have learned.
Forgiveness does not mean that you let anyone off the hook, it means that your present happiness is more important than your past suffering. Forgiveness does not mean that you condone the hurtful things done to you, it means that you reclaim your right to run your own life.