Sometimes it’s
small steps (AKA millimeter) to repair relationships. If you’ve had a falling
out with someone typically it didn’t just happen overnight. Relationships don’t
go south in one big swoop (especially marital relationships). The relationship
deteriorates one small thing at a time. In marriage it can be the couple “outgrew”
each other. Sometimes though to repair relationship damage, the same small
steps required to tear it down can be reversed into small steps to build it up.
Any relationship in
disrepair can begin anew with one simple, small step forward: outreach. Most
relationships suffer from a break in communication. Pick up the phone (use your
voice and not text or email) and call the person. Start with something basic.
Ask the person to coffee or lunch. Ask the person with nothing more than the
intention to restart communication. On the first meeting don’t plan to try and
tackle the whole problem at once. Just start simple, “How have you been?” Then
do the most important thing you can ever do – listen. Hear what that person has
to say, and don’t put judgment on it. Just use your ears and listen with an
open heart. Meeting and listening are the simplest, smallest steps you can do
to reengage a relationship and get on the path toward healing.
