June 2

”Knowing when to fight is just as important as knowing how.” Terry Goodkind

In getting in touch with my feelings and working on living in the moment, there has also been an increase of conflict in my life. This is due, in part, to the fact that I don’t push things away or ignore them like I used to. I am still learning how to act and react I am still working on how to voice my opinion and express my emotions without ridiculing someone else, ignoring their feelings or starting an argument. In my growing awareness I have come to recognize some key elements that can dictate how well, or poorly, these situations unfold. If I am tired, busy doing something and interrupted, or already frustrated, I tend to react poorly. When I am in a calmer state and more receptive to discussion, or what I might perceive as criticisms, discussions tend to go more smoothly. These points are frequently highlighted at home. When something needs to be discussed between the adults, having the kids running around and needing our attention or being preoccupied with supper/homework/laundry/dishes/etc. creates an atmosphere which is not usually conducive to good communication. Trying to pick the best time and place can go a long way to a successful conversation and help avoid an unwanted confrontation. My partner and I are not looking to fight for the sake of fighting, but we are trying to create a good working team and happy home. Sometimes a little patience and restraint can go a long way to a more successful and functional family.

Affirmation

I will focus on learning how to discuss, converse and even argue better today. Making conscious decisions of the best time to engage people is a sign of growth.