It’s hard to escape conflict. At some point, you’ll have conflict with another human being. It’s inevitable. It’s difficult. It can be painful. Words will be said, actions will be taken, causing you or someone else displeasure or discomfort. When faced with someone who is verbally attacking you, pause before you respond. As hard as it may be, try not to take it personal. You never know what burden the other person is carrying. Later, when they seek to apologize, accept their apology and move on. Don’t try to tell them how they were wrong or what they could have done better. You won’t win them over to your side. You simply won’t get the results you want while the wound is open. Only once the wound is healed do you have a chance, if any at all, to invest in that individual who accosted you. The wound can’t heal until the apology is delivered and accepted. Neither of you can put stuff in the other’s bucket before this happens.
So the apology has been received and accepted.Now what? Wait. What? Yes, wait. Let it be. Don’t try to fix it. Maybe that’s all of the personal exchange you will ever have with that person. This may be best. You got off to a bad start. You’ve both acknowledged that. If it weren’t for that unfortunate encounter, you would have never known each other. Perhaps it’s best if you continue on with your lives as if it never happened. If something more is supposed to come of it, time will reveal that to you.
You can’t make everyone like you. It’s just not possible. My advice is that you don’t spend a lot of energy trying. Be honest. Be kind. Treat others like you want to be treated. Don’t worry about what you don’t control and realize that there is a lot in this world that you don’t. At times, you will suffer unjustly in this life. Comforting, I know. It is what it is.
