What Are the Most Effective Ways to Mend a Broken Relationship?

In our lives, broken relationships stem from misunderstandings, both large and small, and they can leave us feeling lost and confused. Many experts suggest trying to understand the other person’s perspective, recognizing that actions are not always intentional. But what standard should we use to navigate these situations? Should we judge others based on how we see ourselves, or should we measure ourselves against how we perceive them? Both approaches are fundamentally flawed.

We need a completely different standard — one simple and universal: the good of one’s neighbor.

This means we stop measuring others by personal criteria or comparing ourselves to them. Instead, we focus on whether our actions contribute to the well-being of others. Not just one person, but humanity as a whole. The “general image of man” should guide us, not individual judgments that inevitably lead us astray.

How do we understand another’s point of view? The truth is, we cannot fully understand another person’s perspective. Our inner worlds are so different that stepping out of ourselves to completely grasp someone else’s experience is impossible. Instead, we should focus on tuning our hearts toward kindness and care for others.

By aligning ourselves with the principle of “for the good of others,” we bypass the endless complications of interpretation. When your heart is sincerely directed toward kindness, even if you make mistakes — whether in words, gestures, or actions — people will sense your intentions. Goodness is felt beyond the surface.