Conflict - Leave Conflict Alone

No doubt we will encounter conflict as conflict is nothing more than disagreements. We won't always share the same opinion of another on a matter. Experiencing conflict is a part of the life experience. To wage war with another because they do not see things our way highlights a state of ignorance. Ignorance is a very hard and perhaps very offensive word. But when you look at it, ignorance is nothing more than a lack of knowledge. If we mastered the ability to not only understand but, more importantly accept that each of us perceives things differently, we will live more peacefully with others and also with ourselves.

Interesting how people want to impose their beliefs or way of life on others and perhaps we have done this ourselves. While it is fine and sometimes highly valuable to share, with others, the way we see things, no one has the RIGHT to dictate to another what they think or believe to be best for the other person. But what do we do about conflicts with our children or our spouse.

As for our children, we take the position that they are the children and therefore they must yield to our way of thinking. And for their well being, because they do not have the experience or exposure that we have as parents, it is better that they heed our advice. But of course our children don't always see things our way. Then what? I have learned, though great humility, that even our children are trying to find themselves. They too are trying to "put the pieces of life's puzzle together"- trying to see things through their own lenses, as it were. As parents, we must leave the paths clear, without waging war with our children that they may know that there is shelter and safety with us.

Our spouses won't always satisfy our every need or wish and certainly they won't always see things our way. And what if they are being, in our opinion, unreasonable, difficult or that their actions are inappropriate? I have learned again, after much conflict, that our spouses will not create a perfect world for us. I have come to realize that people can only give you what they have, our spouses are no different, after all they are people too. As a spouse, celebrate the beauty in your husband or wife even as you would like them to celebrate your beauty. Don't condemn them because of their shortfalls unless you are satisfied that you will stand condemnation for your very own shortcomings. Remember, none of us are perfect and we can only give that which we have.

All in all, we will no doubt have disagreements with the ones we love most but, don't allow those disagreements to mushroom into warfare that can result in irreparable damage. Wherever there is conflict, discord, enmity, hostility, ill feeling there is the absence of harmony, the absence of peace.

The peace that you seek begins with YOU.

Keep well...

I send MY Love and Blessings to you, ALL

Gabby