In this podcast we continue to discuss miscellaneous thoughts on effective confrontation or confrontation with results. These are thoughts that we think are important non-the-less.
Quotes:
“Peace is not absence of conflict; it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.” Ronald Regan
“Man must evolve from all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.” Martin Luther King
“Conflict is good in a negotiation process… it's the clash of two ideas, which then, all being well, produces a third idea.” – Luke Roberts
“When you have a conflict, that means that there are truths that must be addressed on each side of the conflict. And when you have a conflict, then it's an educational process to try to resolve the conflict. And to resolve that, you must get people on both sides of the conflict involved so that they can dialogue.” – Dolores Huerta
“We don't get harmony when everybody sings the same note. Only notes that are different can harmonize. The same is true with people.” – Steve Goodier
Eliminate words like ‘always’ and ‘never’ (Attempt to bring to common ground, not polarize)
Definition of the word always - at all times, on all occasions, without exception.
Definition of the word never - at no time in the past or future, on no occasion, not ever.
To polarize is to divide into sharply opposing factions and that is exactly what these words do.
Prioritize conflicts. (ie: Determine what’s important vs. what is trivial)
Don’t sweat the small stuff. And by the way, when it comes right down to it the vast majority is small stuff.
If you were given six months to live what would be worth fighting for.
Use as an opportunity of empathy and compassion (See it from another’s point of view and learn a new perspective)
It is easier to be empathetic towards someone you are feeling good feelings towards, however this is a great opportunity to practice empathy when we aren’t feeling it.
Empathy for self that this situation is hard and empathy for others in that we are struggling in this situation.
Conclusion
Confrontation can and will have favorable results if we engage it effectively.
Conflict forces us to be fully present. When it is carried with effectiveness it removes everything that is nonessential and brings us to the essential understanding that loving and committed relationships will always find their way through difficult issues.
Confrontation can be painful because it wakes us up out of our own created illusions. If we lean into it, conflict can be the catalyst to our enlightenment as well as our path to connectedness with others.
