"Fighting takes many forms, ranging from violence and open expressions of anger and hate to subtle sarcasm, sharp answers, clever comebacks, belittling humor, and various kinds of cold, sophisticated judging and rejecting. ... The first two alternatives—fighting and flighting—represent the immature course of least resistance and involve no internal control and discipline. Sometimes, in the heat of the moment, we may need to temporarily withdraw for perspective and control. But self-restraint, respect, and love for the other and the courage to face realities are the heart and fabric of the talking-through approach."
~Stephen Covey, How to Succeed With People
How do you teach people how to love? Do you use your intelligence and wit to put them down? Do you take away their ability to make their own choices because it's obvious YOU know better than they? Do you give hugs and listening ears? Do you believe "a soft answer turneth away wrath?" Do you ask questions to find out what is really going on? Do you take a moment to calm down so that you can talk through with respect and love with the person you are having a conflict with?
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