Conflict Resolution

Our speaker this week had many good points about conflict and why we need it in our lives. I liked many different things so this post will be kind of all over the place.

I've always really believed in the scripture in 2 Nephi 2:11 where it talks about having opposition in all things. I had never really thought of this scripture in terms of conflict, but it's true that conflict fits as well. I think a lot of people see conflict as something negative, but it is essential to relationships and growth. I think when people are in serious relationships, they should be able to have a conflict, get through it, and still love each other afterwards. What matters is the way we deal with conflict. We can either be negative and bash on another person's ideas or we can be positive by being calm and reasonable. We should see the other person or group's point of view and really make an effort to do so.

I really liked it when he talked about seeing people as people and not things. Brother Pace said that we could either see them as real people like ourselves or see them as obstacles, tools/instruments, or as irrelevant to our own goals. I feel like sometimes I see people as just objects that are sometimes in my way and I don't really try to get to know them or make them happy. I've tried to be better at looking at the people I pass and smiling at them. It makes both people happier.

We also need to spend more time listening to other people. I liked the quote that said "the heart of good listening is authenticity." We need to be genuine in asking people questions and getting to know them.

Some of the things Brother Pace said were actually pretty similar to some things said in the book I'm reading right now (7 Habits Of Highly Effective People). We need to start with ourselves and try to see what our mistakes are in certain conflicts. If we can change ourselves and our way of seeing things, as well as our way of being, success will be the result. We need to realize when some things are our fault, even if we don't think we are at fault. All in all, conflict is something that can be positive and help your relationships strengthen and grow.