What is the root of conflict? We have conflict between individuals, within families, between clans, states, and nations. I see bumper stickers that say "Why can't we just all get along?" The prevailing viewpoints are that mankind is either basically evil, or basically good. The "evil" outlook is rooted in Judeo-Christian teaching, and the "good" perspective is a more recent addition since the enlightenment. What do you think? Will our future be like Star Trek or The Apocolypse? Perhaps it will follow the storyline of H.G. Wells Time Machine, and we will have one, followed by the other.
Perhaps the root of conflict is that we want to control others. When they don't do what we want, we get angry. We see conflict in preschool when children fight over toys. I think the weapons just get more sophisticated as we grow older.
I often tell Lin that the world would be a better place if everyone would just do what I say. Who are you in conflict with? Is it because they are a jerk, or are you the jerk? Has anyone ever used guilt or manipulation to make you feel like a jerk, when they are the one who is the real jerk? How do you get past that?
Have you ever found yourself in a relationship with conflict? How did you resolve it?
