Attitude
“Whenever
you are in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make a
difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That
factor is attitude.” William James
One
difficult part of being a grown-up is that we can no longer get away
with having a snarky attitude. We aren't allowed to toss off nasty
criticisms as jokes and get away with it. When we are in
relationships of one kind or another, as we all are, this is
especially true. If we want our relationships to be honest and deep,
we must “put away childish things,” (1 Corinthians 13:11) and
treat our friends, significant others, and kin with respect. And
respect means listening to what they say with our hearts as well as
our ears, even when what they tell us is hard to hear.
When
we listen without an attitude of anger or defensiveness, we are more
likely to move toward someone than away; we will deepen our
connection rather than severing it. And when we speak from our own
hearts, and not out of anger or defensiveness, we are more likely to
be understood. When people have a true relationship, they risk
communicating honestly, even when the content of their message is
neither flattering nor positive, because they know love is at
the heart of that message.
We
should all memorize this proverb: “Attitude is everything,”
because it is true. Approach all people with consideration and
respect and they will most likely respond in kind. And even if they
don't, we will not rack up karmic debt that will come back to bite us
in the end. Listening and responding without a bad attitude is a true
test of being a grown-up.
In
the Spirit,
Jane
No comments:
Post a Comment