2). After reading Chapter 2 in its entirety, answer the following question: In what ways do you take a non-process view of communication, relationships, or conflict? How can you change your thinking?
My
entire life I have been known to go overboard in trying to find the good in
people or give them the benefit of the doubt. I will never forget one time when
my family was in Tahoe and driving, my little brother (who was probably 4 at
the time) pointed out that the guy riding his bike next to us was not wearing a
helmet. My parents instantly, with no process, tried to praise my brother for
knowing that this was wrong; they said something about how "he wasn't very
smart because it isn't safe to ride without a helmet." I went into defense
mode and responded with "well maybe he fell before and broke his helmet,
now he is just waiting for his new one to be mailed to him." It was a weak
case but in my head, it sounded a whole lot better then calling some random
person dumb. So when conflict arises in my life, I always am the one to give
everyone else the benefit of the doubt and find a way to get over it or forgive
him or her quickly. It is a struggle in my life to accept that some people are
just not being smart or did do something wrong on purpose.
Hey Bianca,
ReplyDeleteThat's a cute story, the things we say when we are young! I hear what you are saying about wanting to see the good in people and in that trying to not have reasons for conflict. I typically do not like conflict and I have always struggled when people close to me get into conflict with each other. It's especially hard when I feel like I can see both sides of the situation and one person is being misrepresented, like your biker. I liked the process the book set up to work through conflicts successfully, as I have not see that modeled very well in the past. Sure hope that biker turned out ok!
-Kenzie Marie
I completely agree with what you wrote in your response, and actually, my response to this question was quite similar. I also have a strong background with infants and young children as well and it is very strange to see traits emerge out of children that have not previously been modeled for them. It is seeing these kinds of behaviors (that seemingly come from out of nowhere) that lead me to believe that the ability to create conflict is an inherent human trait. However, I do believe that conflict can be a negative trait as well as in when it results in violence and other destructive behaviors.
ReplyDeleteHey there Bianca. I can totally relate to your story about the biker at Tahoe. I recall how my parents would say stuff about people because had a non-process view. I believe that people like to make assumptions about people and it is kind of an instinct to do so. Not a lot of people think too hard about what they see because they take what they see and believe it. It is struggles to give forgive people too because of what they are doing but it is a process. I know I struggle a lot to forgive people and to think about their side in the situation, but I am trying. Anyways, nice posts this week!!
ReplyDeleteMy comment was supposed to be for your other posting, sorry about that.
ReplyDelete