Conflict

[Caressa2]

It's better to be a lion for a day than a sheep all your llife.

- Elizabeth Henry

Conflict is inevitable in our lives. We feel conflicted over a choice we must make, and the conflict is within. We feel strongly about the way a business decision must go, and we are in conflict with our peers.

Some of us believe that there are only two options when conflict arises. We must either roar like a lion, and impose our will or back off like a sheep and give in (and subtly try to impose our will). Neither choice has much to say for it.

Thank goodness we have another option. We can check out what is going on inside of us. We can listen to what others are saying. We can get clear with ourselves and see what we have to learn.

Conflict is inevitable. Fighting is a choice.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

This reminds me of a boss I had many years ago. He was just plain LOUD! My superior in the department was in total fear of him and any time she wanted anything from him, she generally asked me to ask for it. I got to realize his bark was much worse than his bite and if I stood my ground, said my piece, he respected me for it. Who knows, he was probably carrying his own burdens, and even though he was a tall, big man, perhaps his size had been a torment in his life growing up and he had compensated by raising his voice. Perhaps he didn't feel very big inside, it didn't matter. When I got to know him, I found out he had a great sense of humour.

I know my own son is 6'3" and people put a lot of expectations onto him because he was always tall for his age. People would expect him to act the age they thought and saw him as, rather than the one he was. The result is a lot of insecurity today and low self-esteem.