2002
"Annie, most people are not as analytical as you. Where did this passion to figure yourself out come from?"
Actually, we're all analytic to different degrees. Once I grew mindful of the fact that my potential for logic shares brain space with emotional reactiveness (like defensiveness, which proves divisive rather than cooperative), I decided to develop my potential to unmask denial in hopes of figuring out how to achieve heartfelt goals which, though realistic, kept slipping beyond my reach.
Each time I absorbed another insight into the multitasking nature of our brains, my quest toward achieving realistic goals grew more successful than before. As each new insight inspires my spirit to smile, the teacher in me can't wait to 'share the wealth' by pouring one success story after another into every ear that's connected to a mind as open to learning about respectful conflict resolution as mine. I mean, seriously: If we can't resolve conflicts in a respectful manner with loved ones, how can we expect that to happen between political parties, much less nations, whose philosophic leanings prove so diverse as to remain divisive.
Once several class sessions are under our belts, I ask class participants to replace my success stories, concerning mutually respectful conflict resolution, with their own, and pretty soon, our discussions showcase self confident strides made toward respectful conflict resolution by everyone who freely embraces the challenge of retraining our think tanks to brainstorm with attentiveness directed at patience and positive focus while setting long-range goals, which prove mutually enriching. Over time, negatively focused attitudes, based in win/lose, change to positively focused attitudes, based in win/win.
Instead of allowing adult emotional reactions to rant as wildly as a child's tantrums, each class participant joins me in restraining his or her ego behind The Line of Control in order to free the Neocortex to consider problems and conflicts from every angle, thus encouraging every person in a family to work together, respectfully, in hopes of remaining on a positive wave length where our spirits feel happy, safe, and heartily connected to loved ones, near and far.
"That can't always happen, Annie."
I know that, Mom. In fact it can't happen until we acknowledge which of our traits makes conflicts better or worse. When Will and I had reason to split, I learned to minimize my frustration by debating at length with positively focused attitudes attached to open minds, which demonstrate potential for personal growth.
"And when that's not the case, what then?"
If, after knocking on solid brick walls, over long, I find myself engaged in a tug of war then the only way to disengage from a power struggle is to let go of my end of the rope. Then, in order to minimize my frustration, I wish the person, holding the other end of the rope, well, while choosing to carve a new path of my own.
"Well, that makes sense."
I know.
2014
So, earlier, today, I'm driving along, smiling while listening to Joey DeFrancesco on my thumb drive. If asked why my smile indicates a natural lift in my spirit, I'd reply: I'm feeling happily peaceful, content in the knowledge that my needs, which have recently experienced sound reason to expand, feel in synch with reality. As to any aspect of my life, which is still in need of fine tuning, I feel hopeful that with patience and positive focus that which feels discordant, today, will have reason to grow harmonic, over time.
In keeping with Rosanadana: It's always something ... Right?
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