An argument is the longest distance between two points.

In Letters to Karen,
a book written to his daughter by Author Charlie W. Shedd,
he shares “Our Seven Official Rules for a Good, Clean Fight.” They are:

Before we begin we must both agree that the time is right.
We will remember that our only aim is deeper understanding.
We will check our weapons often to be sure they’re not deadly.
We will lower our voices one notch instead of raising them two.
We will never quarrel or reveal private matters in public.
We will discuss an armistice whenever either of us calls “halt.
When we have come to terms, we will put it away till we both agree
it needs more discussing.

Says Shedd,
“No small part of the zest in a good marriage
comes from working through differences.
Learning to zig and zag with the entanglements;
studying each other’s reactions under pressure;
handling one another’s emotions intelligently all these offer a challenge
that simply can’t be beat for sheer fun and excitement.”

We can experience that “sheer fun and excitement”
when we learn to apply the above rules for a good,
clean fight and apply ourselves to open, honest communication.