As a follow on from my 'Rules of the Road' blog, below are some more of my rules of the road. The following allows us to get past the point of no return, and allows us to take control.
It is important to open our mind to what is being said, to stop reading between the lines and avoid hearing what you want, rather than what you may need to hear.
Great rules to follow. I do try to do all of these. My conscience would bother me no end if I left things on a bad note and I would have to go back and apoligise even if I'm right. I've always been this way.
I can remember a particular time in high school. I did get with this other girl's boyfriend but I believe looking back on it, it was date rape. He got me high some how and things happened that I would never do. She found out and an argument pursued between us.
I had been friends with this girl for a while so I felt very guilty about the argument and I apoligised for the argument. I didn't want it to continue.
I hated the thought of someone being mad at me. I didn't apologise for the other because I really didn't think it was my fault, but if she had continued to be upset with me I would have; just to make amends.
Thanks Lisa. I think we can all compromise or reach an understanding which wasn't there before, as long as we all work on it.
It has to happen. Unfortunately it doesn't always happen, which is why we end up walking away, or holding a grudge. Whether we're right or wrong we should follow these rules.
As parents it's important we mediate.
Great advice here today.
Thanks Randy.
I like these 'rules of the road.' Very wise indeed.
Thank you. That's kind of you to say.
There is a difference between active listening and actually ascertaining what you are listening to. Often times reading between the lines will only give us a false reading of a situation.
I have no problem correcting myself or apologizing if I don't follow the rules of the road.
Thanks Tim. Yes there is a difference. Reading between the lines is a hard one and all depends on whether you're reading between the lines correctly.
Reading between the lines is helpful, particularly if we're trying to ascertain what someone is telling us and they're not explaining it very well. It is important we understand the bigger picture.
As you say, it can also give us a false reading of a situation when we misread the situation and get the wrong end of the stick.