avoiding confrontation

do you ever pick a fight with a loved one when you're stressed? it's odd though. if we're so stressed, why do we add a confrontation to an already difficult situation.

i always think about what i'm going to say and ask, "is it helpful? do i expect a positive change? or will i simply vent a frustration and create more unpleasant feelings?"

today i found myself asking those questions. my husband did something that made me angry. i thought that if i didn't tell him, the anger would eat at me. then i thought, "what's done is done. i don't need him to change anything. adding my anger now will just create more stress." so i vented by writing a letter. i still want him to know what bothered me. now, i can let him know at some time after our current stressful situation ends.

i expressed my feelings and avoided a confrontation. our day will be at least that much less stressful. see if you can ask yourself those questions the next time you're angry. you could make your life a little more peaceful.