Book Club

"Don't personalize things that aren't personal" (85).

So far, I would say that this little piece of advice is perhaps the best thing I've read in Basic Black. It may also be the most difficult part of relationships. Learning to brush things off and "let them go" is at the root of healthy relationships, isn't it?

Cathie acknowledges the universality of her advice: "Offices are kind of like families - you're thrust into close relationships with people you'd normally have nothing to do with. And just as in families, this provides all kinds of opportunities for conflict, whether real or imagined."

Whether you're dealing with difficult relationships in a family, office or social setting, learning to refrain from taking things personally is a good rule of thumb. How many times have you imagined a situation to be worse than it really was? How many times have you gotten all fired up over an imagined offense, only to find out it was an honest mistake or oversight?

Cathie says that "the only road to take is the high road" (87). Whenever I've let a grudge fester in the past, I've regretted it. But on those sunny days when I took a deep breath and just let it go, I was always glad I did.

What about you? "Letting it go" is a really difficult part of relating to coworkers, friends, family members and even strangers! Have any tips for learning to take the high road?