Offense alienates otherwise good friends. Do whatever is in your power to avoid offending others. More importantly, do everything to avoid being offended by anything done or said by others. Offense is a quiet destroyer, doing its work in the dark and reaping wicked results. It has no respect for who you are.

It might come as a surprise, but when a person is offended, they choose to be offended. No offense intended, but those who take offense at anything, at anytime, often believe they may have said or done something wrong, but are enraged for being called on it.

But then, humility requires that we do not seek to offend as a means of revenge or as a quirky way of communicating our disapproval of another’s actions or words. “Seek first to understand, then to be understood” is a good maxim.

When you are ready for some personal growth, make it your mission to take responsibility for how others may interpret what you say and do. It is a challenge, to be responsible for how others “hear” what you are saying, but it is a journey worthy of your time.