When I was attempting to write the post about oppression, something didn’t feel right. I think that’s because I knew something would happen to help me find inspiration.
I am the first to realize that there are things about my personality that will clash with others. Not everyone is meant to get along with everyone and that’s fine.
When things end badly, one of you can end up doubting yourself.
I recently was put in a situation where someone made me question who I am; they made me explain who I was in defense of actions I really didn’t commit.
That’s pretty vague, but the point is that for about 12 hours, I doubted myself because of what someone else said; someone I barely knew.
I think one thing every person should learn is how to see the world from someone else’s point of view. True insight is the only way to solve problems you have with others when a confrontation is needed. If both people simply state their side as fact, you are telling the other person that they are wrong for being themselves.
You don’t have to agree, but it’s best to see where the other person is coming from and to vocally acknowledge that. When I was put in the aforementioned position, I acknowledged the other person’s good intentions, but I never got the same in return.
Sure, people will be malicious, but you should take the high road. Looking back, I feel great about the way I handled myself because I didn’t owe anyone an apology. Even though the other person didn’t handle themselves well at all, I wouldn’t expect an apology for their intentions (maybe their use of offensive language).
You should always apologize if you’ve offended someone, but never apologize for being yourself.
The title of this post is a line from “King of Anything” by Sara Bareilles.
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