Every deal, political, business, or organizational, has an underbelly to it. When you look at the results and how they were achieved there are two pieces that are very different than the public report. External data is usually spun so that both parties come out looking good regardless of what the real truth might be. The process itself is designed so that it will lead the casual observer to the conclusion that fairness, trust, and conciliation were the goals of the brokers as well as the participants (at least part of the time). We know this is more however we are often happy with the results no matter what happened along the way.
In addition, we often assume conflict happens because someone was too much in a hurry, too aggressive, too ideal, too pragmatic, or just plain intolerant of another’s behavior no matter what it stands for or what it means. When I look at the reality around me, I find that I often look at life in the same way that others do around me. We seem unable to accept that relationships may conflict because the highest priority of each participant conflicts with the others. We appear blind to the fact that how things happen can be, usually are, as important as what is intended to happen. We wonder why things do not last, yet we want short term and comfort.
“Humans are satisfied with whatever looks good; God probes for what is good.” (Proverbs 16.2)
I desperately care about substance. I have little interest in swimming in a circle of second rate relationships and third rate results all of my life. It just is not necessary! God gives each of us the chance to do two things. First, make a radical shift in our life. Second, we can make a difference in the lives of people around us. We may not solve the cosmic problems, yet we can be a wind of change for the better in ways that build solid, beautiful, and compassionate structures for the future.
This is our opportunity; starting now.
