On tour again

So here I am, back in Portland for another tour with Wycliffe Dinner Theater. I drove down Friday morning through a snow storm, and helped prepare Mock's Crest for the rest of the team to show up.

We just had a meeting to remind the returning team members:
1) This tour is not the last one, it is not a continuation, it is a new tour. These are new people. Dynamics will change.
2) Remember what we learned the last time and apply it this time.

So what did I learn last tour? The admonition to not let the sun go down on your anger is not just poetry or a helpful hint. As far as relationships go, especially in close quarters, wait long enough that you aren't still simmering, but go and talk with them. Work out the misunderstandings and miscommunication. Don't assume anything. Apologize where needed, and confront where needed. Always think the best of the other person's intentions, especially when you're furious.

Relational problems that aren't dealt with right away fester, and grow out of proportion, and then come back to bite you when you least expect it, in a situation that doesn't merit that kind of emotional outburst. And a broken relationship with one person will affect your relationship with the other 12 people. Don't expect it not to. And one bad comment to someone else in the heat of anger can put ideas into someone else's head about that person. They'll never look at you or them the same way.

And having said this, I can expect to be tested on it. Isn't that the way it always works.