What details of your life could you pay more attention to?

This was mentioned in a previous prompt I answered – focusing on not reacting, but responding.

To reach a neutral answer would be great. It diffuses the need to continue arguing. I have done this before, and I realize it is a better solution.

However, I am one to fix situations, so while my answers may be mild, and truthful…it is still springing a trap .

You can be one hundred percent correct, and someone will still find an issue with your truthful, unbiased answer.

Instead, I’d like to focus on responding, to affirm neutrality.

“Don’t you believe in “god?”

My answer is typically, “I am my own person.”

This triggers an onslaught of questions, when really I should say-

“Don’t you? If you did, you wouldn’t question my beliefs.”

They can say yes all they want, typically when people address things such as religion like this, they’re not equipped to hear their doubts are flourishing. It may seem condescending, but it adds to the conversation in such a way that they have to reel back to find a good answer to that.

Oftentimes, I am busy being a mother, communicating with my love, and creating. So my answers are automatic. But in the times I’ve sought neutrality, and conveyed expressionless answers, it helped in more ways than one.