Destructive conflict zaps our energy and humanity. If you’ve paid attention to our election process you know what I mean.
The ballots are counted. United States has a new president AND the divisions continue.
Now what?
Everyone has a choice. Continue feeding the destruction, or learning how to master the art of conflict and do something different. I am choosing the latter, spiral to make an impact.
As I write I sit inside my winter garden. A great reminder that to grow healthy food requires processed and [vimeo]https://vimeo.com/191044716[/vimeo]aged crap (compost). The same is true with our ideas and relationships. How can you process the crap so something good can grow? A few of my thoughts follow:
*If you believe in inclusion and diversity, remember different political beliefs and ideas are also a form of diversity. Are you willing to open up and understand a little bit more of the ‘other’ side? Compost is best with a variety of components.
* What are you doing to rest your emotions? How’s your center? Compost requires rest.
*Where are you putting your focus, your intention? What you focus on grows. President-Elect Trump was master of making people focus on him, good or bad, in this election. Whether you like him, or not, he had most people tuned into his ‘radio dial’. Pay attention to what you dial into – you are giving your energy to it. Go for what you want – not what you don’t want. Negative ads were and are energy vampires. Compost requires specific ingredients to avoid spoilage.
*If you want change in the political process, focus on that. Now is the time, not in four years. Removing the money and the media hype from our elections would greatly reduce the divisiveness of our political process. Compost requires time to get really good. Now is the best time to begin.
For me, I feel inspired to go deeper and wider with Spiral Impact and my work mastering the art of conflict. I believe there is still a need.
I believe in America. I wish the new administration well.
All the best, Karen
“If you believe in inclusion and diversity, remember different political beliefs and ideas are also a form of diversity.”
Well said, Karen!
Got post Karen and much needed. Thanks for your work-you are making a difference!
Thanks so much for your awesome post, Karen! You rock!!!
You say to resolve conflict by opening up and understanding the other side. Understanding the new president is difficult, he is very outspoken. How do you resolve division when the other side does not care about understanding another point of view?
Onja, Thank you for your question…on my way out to do training this morning. I will provide you a thoughtful response soon.
Thank you Hugh!
Thank you!!!
Thanks Rick. It speaks a lot to me too!
Onja, as the administration adjusts it will be interesting to watch what happens, he is already shifting some of his stance as he listens to input. He certainly has had the ear of many Americans, so he is listening to a great many people. And, they seem to like what he is saying. We are a republic, and when we agree with leadership it’s great. When we don’t it is scary. There are many ways to be heard, when you think about the issues that matter to you that could be threaten by withdrawn government support…there are many organizations that would love to have your voice added to theirs. As the last point in my blog says, this is the time to take action in the political process if you’d like it to change. Breathing is a really good thing too!