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You Can’t Change Anyone Else
The only change over which you have any control is yourself.
Recently, I got wind of something a friend might be doing that, while they think is for the better of a large number of people, is probably just going to be a hurtful thing.
Now, I am faced with a dilemma. Confront my friend about their intent and try to talk them out of it? Warn the friend it is most likely to hurt? Both? Neither?
The thing is, no matter what I do, I can’t change this friend’s mind. They are convinced they know best, they are in the right, and they are going to act as they will no matter what I — or probably anyone else — might suggest.
This upsets me. People I care about are going to be hurt. But there is very little I can do to change that.
When all is said and done, this is minor. I know many others dealing with a broader, more complicated situation where people they care about are ignorantly being hurtful to others.
None of my family nor friends are Conservatives. My family and friends overall support progress and stand for equality, LBGTQA+ rights, Black Lives Matter, science, and things that make the world better for all.
Still, watching people being unkind, unempathetic, and outright rude is frustrating. What can I do…
