Whether you’re having conflicting emotions or you’re having a disagreement with someone, conflict is a part of life, and it happens to everyone at one time or another. When this happens, you have to ask yourself if you want to take the easy way out and simply give in to the other person to try to avoid conflict, or do you prefer to hold your ground and possibly risk further alienating the other person?
If you’re having conflicting emotions and you’re unsure of what you want, think about whether you are content with how things are, or if you want more. If so, are you willing to take a risk? This can feel like you’re being pulled in different directions, and you may just want someone else to make a choice for you, or you just put it off and wait for some sign that you’re making the right decision. There’s nothing wrong with getting input from other people, but don’t surrender your power to make choices for yourself. Even if, at a later time, you feel your choice wasn’t the right one, at least you decided for yourself, and you have the power to make changes so you can go in the direction that is best for you.
If you feel imposed upon or backed into a corner, rather than accepting things at face value, you may benefit from being more alert to what is really happening and be cautious moving forward. It is important to listen carefully to your opponent, weigh your options, and take time to think things through before committing to any life-changing decisions. Feeling pressured into something is difficult to deal with and leads to resentment toward the other person, as well as feelings of shame for not standing up for yourself.
Whenever you’re in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference between damaging your relationship and deepening it. That factor is attitude.
William James
The Weekly Post 