If you listen to your partner with love, there is always something in what they say that you can agree with.

When your partner shares something with you, an opinion, idea or plan, do not start with saying “no” or telling them all that you disagree with them on. How about acknowledging them with saying something nice about what they said, or how they said it. If you listen with love, there is always something in what they say that you can agree with.  And if there really is nothing to agree on, then pause and say something like: “That’s an interesting idea,” “I had never thought about it in that way,” “I haven’t looked at it from that angle,” “Tell me more,” or “I’ll think about it.” Always start with a positive attitude and you will be surprised how much easier it is going to be to talk about your disagreements and how much more accepting they will be of your viewpoints.  – Dr. Simone