There are many things I regret, and some of them have made me sick inside. Some I would not want to repeat, but some were things that needed to be done.

I regret overtime I’ve spoken in anger or frustration in the heat of the moment. Later, when I’ve had a chance to think the situation through, I see better ways to have handled it. In those moments, I pray and ask forgiveness and to have more presence of mind to handle a similar situation differently the next time.

I don’t enjoy conflict or difficult communications, but neither do I back away from what has to be done. I just want to do it with more grace and compassion.

At the base level, people are all the same. Everyone has to eat, sleep, and have shelter. Everyone wants to give and receive love. Everyone wants to do what makes them happy, gives them joy, and makes their life meaningful.

We all feel pain. We all laugh. We all walk this planet together and we are all children of God. We were all called into being. Each of our names was whispered to the stars before we were born. I just wish, in the midst of conflict and disagreement, I could remember this and act accordingly.