the common misconception.

Throughout life, we experience a lot of change. Every year we get older, and getting older comes with different responsibilities and different routines. As time passes on new people come and old people leave, and with the coming and going you change alongside it. You learn things about you and about the people coming and going and every person will teach you something, if you let them. What I've always had a hard time with is accepting that it isn't always under my control how my perception and routines and ideas will be warped and formed. When I start to see a problem, or a problem is presented to me about my communication or my opinions or my strategies, it is a natural defense for me to run/hide/fight. I know how destructive this is, and it takes only one time of it being pointed out to me for me to get back on the path of getting out of those habits. However, there needs to be understanding that it is a habit and a habit is something I have to take time to break. I am listening, I am trying, I am understanding - and I am always learning. I am constantly trying to find new ways to go about something that is ongoing, and can't seem to be solved. The biggest problem is that when the new strategies are met with the same reactions I fall back into my regular habits, as you have expressed is mutual. It all takes time, it all takes patience - hang in there with me, we are in for one great adventure.