One of the most common questions I am asked with respect to this material goes something like this, "But what if the other person continues to disrespect me, belittle me, be rude to me? Doesn't that make this whole concept invalid? Doesn't that mean that this doesn't work?" I'd like to present the concept of "forgoing":
"Forgoing the taking of offense is an achievement of the one who forgoes; he or she extends it to all, including those nearest by. It cannot depend upon what others do, or else it is not genuine forgoing. Unless we change our hearts toward the people we struggle with here and now, we are condemned to struggle with whomever we may find ourselves associating with." (Bonds That Make Us Free).
"Forgoing the taking of offense is an achievement of the one who forgoes; he or she extends it to all, including those nearest by. It cannot depend upon what others do, or else it is not genuine forgoing. Unless we change our hearts toward the people we struggle with here and now, we are condemned to struggle with whomever we may find ourselves associating with." (Bonds That Make Us Free).