| When Love Gives Out
by Steve Goodier
A certain amount of conflict is a part of life. But conflict
and violence are quite different.
One man tells about living next door to a bully. Last month
the neighbor came up to him with hand extended. As he reached
to shake hands, his neighbor grabbed him forcefully and threw
him over his shoulder. "That's Judo," he said. "Picked
it up in Japan."
The man went into his garage, came back out
and cracked the bully over the head. "That's crowbar,"
he said. "Picked it up at Sears."
Some conflict is necessary, and many of us will
wisely learn how to make conflicts with others both constructive
and healthy. We will do well not to avoid daily conflict,
but to resolve it quickly. And, of course, that doesn’t
mean to grab the crowbar, either.
Actually, I understand that the Chinese have
a good idea, illustrated by a true story.
Two natives of Hong Kong were arguing loudly
in the street. An American, who observed the altercation but
could not speak the language, asked an Asian friend what they
were arguing about. "They are having a discussion about
the ownership of a boat," came the reply.
"They're getting so wrought up, won't they
start fighting soon?" the tourist asked.
"No," his friend said. "These
men will not start fighting because each one knows the man
who strikes the first blow admits his ideas just gave out."
It's true. Those individuals and societies who
are quick to violence admit their ideas just gave out. As
well as their love. For I must admit, if I strike the first
blow, my love has given out. But when I approach that
conflict with a head full of ideas and a heart full of love,
I am astounded at how quickly things get settled!
Keywords: conflict, patience, love, anger,
understanding
About the Author
Steve Goodier, Salt Lake City, UT USA
Publisher@LifeSupportSystem.com
http://lifesupportsystem.com
Steve Goodier is a newspaper columnist and author of numerous
books on personal development. Visit his site for more information,
free eBooks or to sign up for his ezine newsletter of Life,
Love and Laughter at http://LifeSupportSystem.com.
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