Stepping Back for a Broader View

Sometimes it seems that the hardest thing in the world is for people to understand and get along with each other. There is no technical solution to relationship problems. It’s a problem that requires empathy and honesty, both with others and with yourself.

You can, however, pay attention to your communication problems. By doing so, you can identify places where the communication became scrambled and try to unscramble it. With a bit more work, you can understand how it got scrambled, and try to avoid similar problems in the future.

Change takes time and effort. Old habits don’t just disappear when you choose. Instead you must work to build new habits that crowd out the old ones. This is hard when the habits involve only yourself, and even harder when they involve interpersonal relationships. Take heart! Incremental progress is possible. Sharing the journey with others will make it easier. And when you fail, realize that you, too, are human. Apologize to those you may have hurt or offended and resolve to do better in the future.

The results are worth the effort. The practices that support better relationships will help in all parts of your life. You don’t have to be perfect at them to notice the improvement, not only in your own behavior toward others, but their reciprocal behavior toward you.