We have to stop attacking each other. It’s fine to disagree with someone—challenge their actions, ideas and words—but ridicule and ad hominem attacks waste energy. They simply degrade the conversation, rupture emotions and build antipathy.
We can improve, in two different arenas. In dialogue with others, try listening. Just listen. Ask a few questions to clarify and summarise what’s being said. Listen some more. Thank the speaker. Digest, reflect and self-educate. Try to understand what motivates the speaker.
Internal dialogue is different. Here we want to be a bit more assertive a challenge our inner critic, that mental monster who undermines, minimizes and silences us. Thank the critic for trying to help, and tell it to take a day off.
