Navigating External and Inner Struggles
The Courage to See Common Ground
“Do not think of knocking out another person’s brains because he differs in opinion from you. It would be as rational to knock yourself on the head because you differ from yourself ten years ago.” ― Horace Mann
Conflict is an inescapable part of the human experience. Like yin and yang, it is the natural counterpart to harmony. Conflict stems from the subjective nature of our values, perspectives, and priorities. What one person considers good, right, or necessary differs from someone else’s worldview. These differences lead to disagreements and clashes, large and small.
While conflict often carries a negative connotation, it does not have to be.
We can discover our shared values with an open mind and willingness to hear each other. Most humans yearn for belonging, security, and purpose. Disagreements happen when we forget about our shared humanity. Our differenc…
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