I wish conflict resolution was a mandatory class offered in high school.  I would have sat in the front of the class working diligently to get an A.  Instead, I wondered into the world with a limited knowledge of how to deal with the challenges that arise during conflict.  My strategy was to ignore it or confront it as a victim with anger and hostility. This was usually followed by the desire to totally disconnect (mostly indefinitely) with the person or situation that I deemed responsible.

Since life can sometimes be an ugly teacher, I was continually presented with scenarios designed to help me graduate past my outdated conflict resolution skills. Unfortunately, I wasn’t paying attention and continued to play out the same scenarios.

I found myself throwing away relationships and opportunities that I spent years building over frivolous conflicts that I did not know how to work through.  Also since…