"La première règle pour gérer les conflits est de ne pas fréquenter des personnes qui sont constamment en conflit."

The heart of this saying is simple: if you want to avoid conflict, steer clear of people who thrive on it. It’s all about choosing your company wisely to maintain your peace of mind.

Imagine you’re at a party, and there’s that one person who always stirs up drama. Every time they show up, arguments erupt like clockwork. If you keep hanging out with this person, guess what? You’ll find yourself caught in the crossfire, too. The idea is that by avoiding people who are magnets for conflict, you reduce the chance of getting drawn into unnecessary arguments and stress.

This advice probably emerged from someone who’s seen their fair share of drama and decided enough was enough. Maybe it was an old friend or a wise mentor who had learned, through experience, that their peace of mind was more valuable than the excitement of constant conflict.

Let’s bring this to life with a real-world example. Picture a workplace scenario. There’s this team member—let’s call him Bob—who always seems to be at the center of every disagreement. Bob loves to debate every decision, no matter how small, and thrives on the ensuing chaos. You notice that the more time you spend around Bob, the more drained and stressed you feel. He's like an emotional vampire, sucking the energy out of every meeting. So, you decide to distance yourself. You don’t engage in his debates, and you start collaborating more with your other colleagues who are focused, calm, and solution-oriented. Over time, you find that you’re not just more productive but happier and less stressed. That’s the power of this wisdom in action.

If you want to apply this in your life, start by evaluating your circle. Think about the people you spend the most time with. Are they generally positive and supportive, or do they bring a lot of drama and negativity? It might be time to set some boundaries. You don’t have to cut people off entirely—sometimes it’s about reducing your exposure to their drama. Maybe you avoid certain topics with them or limit the time you spend together.

Here's a relatable story to drive this home: Imagine you're part of a book club. Initially, it’s great. You’re all about the books and the discussions. But, over time, one member, Lisa, starts bringing up personal grievances every meeting. She’s always complaining about her job, her friends, her life. Suddenly, the book club isn’t about books anymore—it’s about Lisa’s drama. You find yourself dreading the meetings and feeling drained afterward. So, you decide to have a word with the group. You suggest refocusing on the books and keeping personal issues for outside conversations. The group agrees, and you notice an immediate shift. The meetings become enjoyable again, and your love for reading and discussing books is rekindled.

So, remember, by choosing to surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you, rather than those who drag you into conflict, you’re protecting your own peace and well-being. It’s a simple, yet powerful way to create a more positive and harmonious life.