Day 12

My dare for today was to willingly choose to give in to an area of disagreement between myself and Kendra. For a majority of the day this wasn't an issue. We made it through the morning and afternoon without a disagreement, but right before our children were to go back to church for the evening service it happened. Kendra, David (Kendra's brother) and I were standing in the kitchen discussing his car. He wanted to sell it for a certain price and had several individuals talk to him about it. He and I had already talked and had an agreement on price. Kendra then gave her opinion regarding the situation and did not receive the feedback she desired. I shook my head at Dave to indicate I didn't agree with Kendra's thoughts. Then as we drove to church it came out. Kendra felt ganged up on and didn't feel valued due to the way Dave and I had not listened to her idea. At first I honestly felt she was being petty and emotional. Then my anger aroused and I felt like "telling her how it is." But I managed to change my thinking and acknowledge that she was not valued as she should have been. Instead of responding in my typical fashion (Shark out for blood) I decided to agree with her assessment of the situation and act on it. I went home and told Dave how Kendra was feeling. I was able to get clear concerning the way that Dave and I communicate and how we could support Kendra in a more loving way.
I will say that I learned that I am capable of being genuine and honest in love and when I go to that place it brings a feeling of love with it. Kendra and I avoided a deep argument due to the fact that I took a moment to value her ideas and show her that value.