I had a difficult conversation recently. I thought a lot about it before I embarked on a very sensitive subject, and I decided that I'd do my best to relay the information. I have done that before and suffered greatly related to the response I got, so I was nervous about this situation. Similar to the last time, I received a tough response again, yet this time I was more prepared.
What happened?
When I began the conversation, I noticed that after a few words, the individual could not hear me anymore. My words had touched a sensitive spot, and after that the individual misheard what I said and later repeated my words falsely. When strong emotions get in the way, it's difficult for us to hear one another. Could I have tempered my words more? Perhaps yes and perhaps no--I'm not sure.
Some would not broach the subject that I did, but I thought long and hard about it. I have made a commitment to myself that I won't stay silent when hurtful actions are possible. Instead I will speak up. I'd rather lose a friendship than allow a hurtful, problematic event to occur. I don't want to knowingly be apart of actions or words that create harm and destruction, but instead I do want to be apart of what helps others.
Some may refute my decision and say that my words hurt people's feeling, but my response to that is if you are working in ways that harm or hurt others, then your feelings should be hurt as you are engaged in harmful, hateful, destructive efforts. We naturally should feel bad if our actions harm or hurt others, and if we don't, then something is wrong.
I realize that I also have to be open minded to the strong statements others throw my way when I err. I never intend to hurt or harm others, but I know that none of us know it all and sometimes we may hurt others simply because we don't know better. It's difficult to learn hard lessons, but we have to learn those lessons sometimes, and we have to embrace the humility times like these bring to us.
In general, we need to tread gently with one another, and as much as we can work for betterment and good living for all. We can't support actions, words, or endeavor that obstructs the good possible. That is the only way to a better world. Onward.