Hi, how’s it going? I hope you’re having a good day.<\/p>\n
I was talking to this guy at the gym the other day, and it really affected me. We were talking about the economy. He believes that everything is going to be fine, like, tomorrow or next month.<\/p>\n
Well, I read the news and expert opinions all the time on all kinds of things, so I know that’s not true. So I told him so. He got really mad, and started to defend his position. I, of course, defended mine.<\/p>\n
Well, guess what happened?<\/p>\n
Nothing.<\/p>\n
Nothing happened.<\/p>\n
Nothing was accomplished.<\/p>\n
He couldn’t change my mind, and I couldn’t change his. It was a total waste of time.<\/p>\n
Your loved one may have told you some things that you don’t agree with, but fighting about it would be a waste of your time, too. It would help if you try to see things from their point of view.<\/p>\n
For example, if they say that you never listen to them, you better really hear that, because they’re<\/p>\n
saying a lot there. They could be feeling neglected, frustrated, angry, anxious, stressed, or any number of negative feelings that, if not taken care of, can put them into a bipolar episode.<\/p>\n
So you really have to try to see their point of view.<\/p>\n
First of all, reflect back to them what they have said to you \u2013 this shows that you’re actively listening.<\/p>\n
For instance, you can say: “I hear that you feel like I never listen to you, but can you give me<\/p>\n
some examples?” Then it is their responsibility to give you specifics. Then examine the specifics. Ask yourself if you really do all these things? Again try to see it from their point of<\/p>\n
view.<\/p>\n
Like, say they say that whenever they try to talk to you, you keep staring at the TV. So you examine it, and see that it is true. Then from now on, when they talk to you, turn to face them. This shows that you are actively listening.<\/p>\n
You need to develop this habit. Because otherwise they could go into an episode because you didn’t heed the warning when they were trying to tell you.<\/p>\n
Your loved one may be stable today, but you need to always be on guard for an episode anyway. Sometimes they can come out of seemingly nowhere.<\/p>\n
The point is, always try to see your loved one’s point of view. Don’t waste your time arguing<\/p>\n
about it, when there may be something you can do to fix the problem.<\/p>\n
Well, I have to go!<\/p>\n
Your Friend,<\/p>\n
Dave<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hi, how’s it going? I hope you’re having a good day.<\/p>\n
I was talking to this guy at the gym the other day, and it really affected me. We were talking about the economy. He believes that everything is going to be fine, like, tomorrow or next month.<\/p>\n
Well, I read the news and expert opinions all the time on all kinds of things, so I know that’s not true. So I told him so.<\/p>\n