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| A Patch of Blue Today Before Matthew |
It's been an education for me living here and learning how to deal with the hurricanes. Initially, the idea of a massive storm descending upon me was quite disturbing, but I soon discovered some things I didn't know.
I learned that our meteorologists start tracking the storms when they are far away in the Atlantic, so we know several days in advance when one is coming. I learned that all the various weather conditions can be predictors of the storm's path, so we can have an educated guess where it might make landfall, and I learned there were things I could do to prepare and effectively protect my home and family. With each hurricane I've experienced, I've gained some new intelligence about how go through it.
Of course, that's what's been happening this week here, and now we're getting ready to sit tight after all of our preparations and see what happens.
When I started studying about conflict, what I knew of relational difficulties was a little like what I knew about hurricanes. It all seemed like a lot of chaos that happened with no warning.
Similar to my hurricane discoveries though, I learned that relational conflicts are simply a fact of life, and that there are predictors of when they can happen. I learned that we can prepare for them; we can develop some tools and good practices. Best of all, with each conflict experience we become better at handling it.
A hurricane, of course, is not something we have total control over; neither is conflict. We do have to take them seriously as energies to be reckoned with. What gives me hope on both fronts, however, is the knowledge that we are not defenseless either -- and we are definitely smarter when we come out on other side.
Saying lots of prayers today for all of us in the path of this sobering storm.
DrK
If you'd like to know more about how to prepare for conflict, contact me at
confidentconflict.com for a complimentary conversation!
"12 Ways to Rule in Conflict" Free Download
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