Our Relationship: It’s not just about You and Me
Sometimes we forget that we are part of something bigger. This can happen anytime. When we are in conflict, we tend to focus on the person we are in conflict with. There is something more, though, that speaks to our relationship. Our relationship Our relationship is not only about you and me. It’s also about [...]
Be it resolved: We value our relationship over the agreement
Image courtesy of USEmbMalta on Flickr Congratulations. You resolved your differences. You settled your dispute and reached agreement on how to move forward. What happens though when something goes wrong down the road? What will pull you through, sustain you…. the strength of your relationship or the terms of agreement? Navigate from the Future Agreements [...]
Who Are You?
Last night, I was out caroling in my neighbourhood. It was great fun. First we broke bread, i.e. sweets, and hot, spiced apple cider, at the organizer’s house. Someone brought Christmas carol song sheets. We headed out, about 20 of us, young and old. We worked the neighbourhood, looking for houses with lights on, the [...]
10 Holiday Gift Book Ideas for the “Mediator” in Your Life
I enjoy reading books. They are a safe way to explore the ideas and works of others. And, a really good book is inspiring. It seems to connect on a personal and emotional level; a connection that can motivate one to further thought and action. Here are ten of the books I read in 2011, [...]
10 Diverse ways to build your capacity to appreciate the Other
My first blogging inclination this week was to write a glorious followup to a post I wrote a year ago, on strategies to reduce the income inequality gap. Getting into it, I quickly discovered I may have overstretched myself. Rather than snap, I humbly offer this alternative… It is through our shared disconnection, that movements [...]
The Many Perspectives on Aging
A lot happens on the edges. As we get close to the far edge of our life, it’s an opportunity to look back, and reflect on what happened, and be true to oneself. Listening and interacting with older people (older than me, anyways)… or my elders, as I prefer to relate to them, can be [...]
Just Enough: Reframing the Paradox of Social Media
Reframing is about changing the game. It’s about how we describe a conflict. There is no shortage of buzz about a personal conflict many of us wrestle with, our struggle to maintain attention, focus, in a world of digital busyness, the world of social media. Social media is a paradox. On the one hand, it [...]
Henri Lock: Community Connector
For most students attending university, it is a time of great personal exploration. It was for me. Henri Lock helps university students with their internal explorations. He also helps them connect their personal passions, interests, values… to opportunities in the external world; of people, work, causes, organizations … Henri is United Church Chaplain at the [...]
On being unconditionally constructive
The bible of interest-based conflict resolution may be well be Fisher, Ury & Patton’s book, Getting to Yes. I’d be surprised if there is a mediator (Western world, anyways) who is not familiar with it. At the heart of Getting to Yes is the message: “be unconditionally constructive” when it comes to negotiating resolution to [...]
Janis La Couvée : Community Connector
I always enjoy a conversation with Janis La Couvée. She is involved in many diverse communities, online and offline, here in Victoria. And, I get the feeling she brings all of her communities, all of her connections, to each conversation… a good thing. Making connections is what Janis does. Although, I’ve only known her for [...]
