Well, after a long two weeks of a very close friend and family members death, another bad boss experience and job failure, a successful end to another graduate class and a creation of a DVD for Delaine's funeral video, here I am. At the beginning of a blog. I can't believe it has taken me so many years to start an actual blog considering I talk like I write and I love to talk and write. So, here goes nothing...
Sometimes I wonder how the most of us can sit around and deal with the many struggles of life and difficult human beings. When we were younger, everything seemed so simple and easy. But as I have gotten older I have found conflict to be a regular part of my life. In addition to that, I have a ridiculously strong support system. The combination of both help me learn a lot.
The first thing is, conflict is inevitable. Whether it be with your family, your significant other, your boss, your friends, yourself, your computer, your dog or cat or whoever else you can think of. It never ends. Second, how you deal with that conflict is KEY to survival. Many of us like to crawl into a hole and stay there until the rest of the world disappears, but things just don't work that way. We have to learn to manage what we have. Fortunately, conflict is a positive thing and will help us grow. So, learning how to communicate effectively and in a way that doesn't make everyone around you want to murder you is important. I am still working on the latter. Third, having that ridiculously strong support system I just referred to? Yeah, that is critical. I know a lot of us aren't communicating, charming, beautiful, loving and outreaching individuals, but you are always able to connect with someone. I promise. Connections can always be made.
Sometimes I just like to watch people and see how they walk, talk, interact, and even handle any given situation. You can tell a lot about people simply by the way they behave. If you like the way people behave, start stalking them. I am kidding. Ask how they are doing. See if you have common interests. Do the craziest thing ever - SMILE. Don't be creepy though. We can all stare and act weird and that doesn't make anyone want to be your friend. I am sure EVERYONE has watched enough TV to see how to interact with people. If you haven't, where the hell have you been? You have to be on the Internet, right? Something? Help me out here...
Anyway, I guess I am just spewing about conflict because its the one thing I study constantly but never figure out. As a conflict practitioner and mediator, I am surrounded by conflict. WE ALL ARE. It goes with the job. So, just be aware that its OK to have conflict, just try not to run from it and try to manage it the best way you can. And before you know it, it will be over. Until the next one...
