We all have enemies, and often those enemies are not the result of any intentional act or words, but instead what happens when lives confront one another in unexpected and troubling ways. What do we do when confronted with enemies?
I've thought a lot about this over time. I've read a lot about it too. In general, I define enemies as those who don't have your best interests in mind and those who have little compassion, empathy, or acceptance for you. For many reasons, these people don't understand you and work in ways that hinder your good living. They may speak poorly of you or act in ways that hurt you.
How do you deal with this?
Typically, I confront enemies first. I give them a chance to make things better with me, and I own what I believe is my part of the problem. I know I'm not a perfect person. I know that I often err and take responsibility for that. When I do this, most people respond lovingly and the problem is resolved. Yet, there are times when people respond with continued dishonesty, contempt, harm and hurt. That's when enemies become especially tough. What do you do when people won't accept who you are and what you believe in? What do you do when people don't want the best for you and work to undermine you?
In general, it's best to give these situations space. Sometimes what is natural for two people is conflict--like sandpaper, the conflict, at its best, can smooth our rough edges, teach us valuable life lessons, and in the end, make us better people. This is the upside of enemies and conflict. At its worst, these enemies can be greatly harmful and hurtful to us so distance is the only safe solution. Hopefully, in time, most enemies become friends or at least harmonious relations of some kind. But, that won't always happen.
It's best to surround yourself with the kind of people who represent who and what you want to be. If you surround yourself with empathetic, compassionate, loving people, that's who you'll become. If you surround yourself with forgiving, creative, caring people, that's who you'll be. If people are harmful, it's best to put some distance between you and them as that's not who you want to become.
We will all have enemies from time to time. That's not all bad, but it's certainly not all good either. Meet enemies with as much positivity and care as possible. Don't embrace their angry, hurtful, dishonest ways, but instead see the conflicting relationship as an opportunity to grow in positive ways. Onward.