Balancing Principles and Relationships

Glee greetings, ! Welcome to the weekend.

In today's musing, I want to talk to you about something that may be affecting your relationships, both personal and professional. It is the issue of principles.

Principles are the values and beliefs that guide our actions and decisions. They are important because they reflect who we are and what we stand for. They also help us to be consistent, authentic, and trustworthy.

But sometimes, principles can also be a source of conflict and misunderstanding. Sometimes, what makes people avoid you are the principles that you have built around yourself and practice. As much as you may have the right to any practice or idea, people also have the liberty to choose their associations. They tend to choose what they feel is right for them. And that may not be you.

So, how do you deal with this situation? How do you balance your principles with your relationships? How do you respect others without compromising yourself?

Here are some tips that I have learned from my own experience and from working with clients:

Be clear about your principles

Know what they are, why they matter to you, and how they affect your behaviour. Don't be vague or ambiguous about them. Be able to articulate them clearly and confidently without coming off as arrogant, fanatical, or extremist.

Be open to other perspectives

Don't assume that your principles are the only ones that are valid or true (even if they are). Recognize that other people may have different principles that are equally important to them. Listen to them with curiosity and empathy without being judgemental or critical. Try to understand where they are coming from and what they value.

Be flexible and adaptable

Don't be rigid or dogmatic about your principles. Be willing to adjust them when new information or circumstances arise. Be open to learning and growing from your interactions with others. Don't be afraid to change your mind or admit your mistakes.

Be respectful and compassionate

Don't judge or criticize others for having different principles than you. More so, don't try to impose your principles on them or force them to agree with you. Don't make them feel guilty or ashamed for being who they are. Treat them with kindness and dignity. If your principles are better, let your acts of love and humanity do the proselytising.

Be honest and authentic

Don't hide or deny your principles for the sake of pleasing others or avoiding conflict. More so, you need not pretend to be someone you are not or say things you don't mean. Be true to yourself and your values. Express them with integrity and courage.

By following these tips, I believe you can maintain your principles without losing your relationships, be yourself without alienating others, and create harmony without sacrificing your identity.

I hope this newsletter has been helpful and inspiring to you. Until next time, stay sane.

With ❤️

Jaachị Anyatọnwụ