Day 339

Good morning!  My name is Lauren and I'm a grateful, recovering alcoholic/addict.  At work yesterday, I was listening to a book on tape called, "Crucial conversations."  WOW!  What a wake up call.  I heard things I never thought of or if I did, knew that was how I was supposed to talk to people, but it never came out like that.  In my head, I am always right.  In reality, I'm not and it's hard to for me to accept that.  My defense mechanism is sarcasm.  I think things in my head, and think he is supposed to know exactly how I feel, when he might be totally clueless.  The way I look at things may be totally opposite from the way he thinks, but I think he should feel the same way I do.  We grew up in two totally different home lifestyles.  But we need to respect the way each other feels and compromise and least listen.  A lot of the time, what I say may not be what I mean. What I hear myself say what I think I said, it comes out wrong.  I don't mean to sound mean, but it may come out that way.  I need to work on patience and listening not just hearing, and valuing his opinion, and respect how he feels.  I need to be aware of his feelings, and genuinely care. And when I'm wrong, suck it up, and apologize.  Not just say I'm sorry, but apologize with a sincere change of heart. That's all I have for now.  Have a great day!