Pardon the slightly non-frugalista post (although there are some applications), but I need to think through a couple of things and could use some words of wisdom from you.
We’ve all got them in our lives. Sometimes it’s a family friend. Sometimes it’s a neighbor. Sometimes it’s a co-worker. Sometimes it’s a mere acquaintance. Sometimes it’s a relative. Sometimes, it’s someone from church. Who knows, it might even be your significant other. You’ve got a mental image in your head right now, don’t you? We all deal with difficult people. And the trouble with difficult people is that well, they’re difficult. Lest, you wonder, is she talking about me? Said difficult person today is not a reader of my blog so breathe a deep sigh of relief and move along.
When we encounter those who grate us or make living in relationship with them difficult, it’s easy to do several things. It’s easy to buckle under pressure and become difficult yourself. It’s easy to talk trash about them to someone else. It’s easy to become a doormat and do whatever they say. What it’s not easy to do is deal with someone who’s difficult in love and with patience. That would be difficult.
When I encounter those whom I feel are difficult (and more than likely they feel the same about me), I try to do a few different things.
- Realize that more than likely said person is not maliciously trying to wound or endanger me. I know it’s not the case for everyone but I have few no mortal enemies.
- Focus on the positives of that person’s personality and character.
- Nod, smile, move along and realize he/she is not going in the same direction that I am. Specifically when getting out of debt, people who do not understand my decisions to pursue financial freedom are probably not going to be won over by me arguing with them. There are people that it makes no sense to reason with about such matters. And it’s ok if I don’t “win” them over or “win” the argument.
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