Life inherently has plenty of accompanying stress and difficulties.
People tend to let negative experiences and feelings build up but eventually the emotions have got to come out.
Relationships are usually the place where frustration, anxiety and dissatisfaction rear their ugly heads and the aftermath is often conflict.
Relationships are the greatest of treasures and yet so very vulnerable.
Handling conflict in relationships takes both a willingness to resolve conflict and the basic social skills to accomplish it.
Conflicts often surface at a time and place where they can't be appropriately addressed.
Disagreements and hard feelings also have a propensity of showing up in the presence of others.
Solving conflict requires a plan.
The first thing you need to do in successfully solving conflict between you and another person is to decide where you can meet.
Pick the location carefully.
You need the ability to speak without interruption, a private setting where others won't become involved and a spot conducive to peace.
What better place than a fire pit and what better time than during a quiet evening? The crackling and flickering flames of a backyard campfire bring a mysterious quiet to any conversation.
People tend to open up as they concentrate on the dancing flames and many things can be said that otherwise would be choked back or immediately contested.
The rules of engagement for conflict resolution begin with the right setting.
Conflict resolution requires the determination to listen to what the other person has to say.
Hearing the other's perspective may be hard and your instinct is to retreat or to verbally strike back with your own accusations or list of grievances.
Listen and learn.
Think about what is being said and when you're wrong, admit it.
A bridge is built between people who are willing to both communicate and listen.
The final rule is to agree to work through differences and misunderstandings.
Things may have been said that can never be totally taken back and the scars may last a long time.
Conflict resolution is an ongoing process that involves not only addressing disagreements but forgiveness as well.
Let the other person off the hook.
Refusing to forgive is only the guarantee of future conflict in your relationship.
Whether you meet in a restaurant or around the fire pit you are well on your way to managing conflict in relationships.
Follow a few simple rules of the road to experience success.