Ever feel like youmightbe an asshole?
Lets face itwe all have those moments when we could probably be a little kinder.
Maybe someone cut you off in traffic and you screamed expletives at them.
Maybe someone stole the last treadmill at the gym and you wished they never born.
Trying to be a little more polite?
One lesson, in particular, is crucial: Give people the benefit of the doubt.
Your actions toward them will reflect this as a resultinstead of being passive aggressive (ie.
avoiding them, short responses, the occasional eye roll, etc.
), youll communicate more openly and show them more respect than if you doubted their trustworthiness.
In other words, stop talking about people behind their backs, he said.
Nothing I think is so damaging to our own spiritual lives as denigrating another person.
Its a really serious form of uncharity and of course, it can make the other person feel miserable.
Yes, venting feels great (especially while drinking!)
and if you need a venting mechanism, let someone else do it.
Listening to a venting session can be an exercise in relief in and of itself.
Maybe theyll share an opinion you secretly empathize with.
A lot of nice guys believe that if they treat everybody good, theyll be treated good in return.
Instead, try your best to do a deed without acknowledging how it can benefit you down the road.
You dont want to be the person who cant let something go.
And holding a grudge will keep you from moving on emotionally and in the relationship.
And as wevewritten before, forgiveness doesnt mean reconciliation, either.
You dont have to become best friendsits just an act of mutual respect.
So let it go when you’re able to.
And if you cant get over it, thats okay, too!
Maybe its a cold-hearted ex, in which case,theyrethe asshole and your grudge is entirely justified.
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