Ken, to me it has nothing to do with changing a person or to make him /her to act as I like. I never said anything of that sort. To me the best way is to stop all contact with him /her.
I agree with @Silvia Benoit on this. There are some people who will drag you down. The best thing is to avoid them whenever possible.
Shirley And in many instances these people and are very willing to help others but their toxic side blackens their good ones.
If that works for you, great. I live in a small town so it's not so easy. I have to learn to live with people, and I see advantages in that.
I live near a small town, too, Ken. There was one man who was so insufferable that if I saw him first, I found business in the other direction. No offence to insufferable people everywhere.
I understand your point but whether or not I live in a big / small town to me the important thing is to be in a pleasant environment.
I think that all of us have good points and not so good points. I try to look for the good in other people. Usually, we find that we look for, in my opinion.
I understand you very well. One of the owners in my apartment complex is so nasty I refuse to take the elevator with him.
I find is our "moral obligation" to find the good in others. Yes...but in many instances the good is not enough.
I have done the same - he is the most obnoxious man I have met and I will not be in his company Other than 'him' I get along with everybody here where I live
Depending on my mood, I may choose to spar with an obnoxious individual, but usually this will end up in a no win-win situation as that individual isn't even aware of being obnoxious. As for toxic folks, well, if I am so inclined, I'll chew them up and spit them out, as the saying goes. Often, I'll enjoy the company of a true narcissist as they are so full of themselves, that in itself can be quite entertaining. Most of these people are sociopaths and sometimes successful politicians. If, however, I cannot be bothered, I am a master at ignoring your presence as a human on this planet.
Absolutely excellent post, Ken. Excellent! Not everyone is alike and there are those that can get very offended due to past experiences.