Truth Doesn’t Yell, It Listens 🎧
"We can know only that we know nothing. And that is the highest degree of human wisdom." — Leo Tolstoy
"Conflict, at its best, is not a war to be won but a dialogue to be deepened. It is the opportunity to confront discord with courage, humility, and a commitment to truth."
Years ago, I was caught in a brutal argument with someone I cared about. The kind where neither person hears the other. Voices sharp. Eyes locked. Arms crossed like shields. It felt like a battle, one I was determined to win.
But here’s the thing. Even when I “won,” I walked away empty.
Not because I lost the person. But because I lost sight of why we were even fighting in the first place. It wasn’t about the dishes, the tone, the lateness.
It was about feeling dismissed. Unseen. Unheard.
We turn conversations into competitions because our pride fears being wounded more than our hearts fear being misunderstood. We wear armor when we should be listening.
We argue to be right when all we actually want... is to be understood.
Conflict isn't the enemy.
But our reaction to it? That can be a tyrant.
This isn't just emotional fluff. It’s ontological. It cuts into the core of what it means to be a human being trying to coexist with other autonomous, complex creatures.
You’re not always going to agree. But if you let every disagreement become a war, you’ll burn your whole village down just to feel safe.
And you’ll still feel alone.
Try this the next time tension creeps in…
Before speaking, ask yourself, “Am I trying to connect or control?”
Then do something revolutionary. Ask the other person what they need. Not as a tactic. As an act of sincerity.
It’ll feel awkward. Vulnerable. Maybe even weak.
But it’s not. It’s bold. Because real strength isn’t the volume of your voice, it’s the clarity of your intention.
"We can know only that we know nothing. And that is the highest degree of human wisdom." — Leo Tolstoy
Acknowledging what you don’t know is not weakness. It’s an invitation, for humility to walk in and ego to take a seat.
Think back to a time when conflict taught you something about yourself. Something uncomfortable, maybe even painful. Did it reveal pride? Insecurity? Or perhaps a truth you were scared to face?
Share your moment. The messiness. The breakthrough. The aftermath.
Your story might just be the bridge someone else needs to walk across today.
Every argument is a fork in the road. One path leads to deeper disconnection. The other, to deeper truth.
It takes restraint to listen. It takes courage to ask questions. And it takes wisdom to know when to speak and when to truly hear.
So when conflict comes knocking, and it will, don't reach for a sword. Reach for a chair. Sit down. Ask. Listen. Understand.
That’s how healing starts.
Until next time,
— Ryan Puusaari
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