I am reading 'Everyday Grace: having hope, finding forgiveness, and making miracles' by Marianne Williamson. The book provides a simple tool for dealing with difficult situations. The author urges us to notice when we are scared, and not to act on the fear, or react to the fear, but to challenge ourselves to look at the situation from a perspective of compassion and love. She is not promoting an acceptance of offensive behaviour. She is simply suggesting that we will find more internal peace by looking at a difficult situation from a perspective of love and kindness. It may be that the only action we take is to soothe ourselves by changing our inner dialogue to mirror a perspective of compassion. If we do choose to do something with the other person/people involved in the situation, she is advocating that the conversation start by acknowledging the meaningfulness of the relationship between yourself and the other person, and only then to go on to state your position. Her vision is that even if the immediate situation does not change, at least your inner experience will be more peaceful and will reflect the fact that we are all connected and affect each other. Food for thought!