Managing all relationships, especially difficult ones gracefully is easier when you are committed to taking a breath before reacting. Applying critical thinking when signals get crossed can become almost second nature with practice. Yes, you will get it wrong sometimes, and you will be misunderstood sometimes, but you will also get it right sometimes. You will establish yourself as someone who deserves the benefit of the doubt in those moments when you do make mistakes. Even so, some will recognize that your ability to apologize for missteps, and to forgive the mistakes of others is your superpower, and they will try to take you down. Those people have no understanding of any of the words that precede this final sentence.
-CS