Beautiful day ... just finished a hike in the National Wildlife Reserve on the Minnesota river. The recent rain has turned everything lucious green. Lots of flowers in bloom. Gorgeous!

Mike

I was asked a question on another site about the way I handle conflict. Sparked my interest because as I considered this question I was clear I decided some time ago not to ...

From my point of view, it is important to differentiate between conflict and disagreement. We all have different points of view. Part of what makes life so interesting and adds a sense of vitability to being with others is to share our points of view with each other. Since we differ, we will naturally have areas of agreement and of disagreement. I am fine with disagreement. I have no need to force or pressure someone else to adopt my point of view. In dealing with disagreement I am happy to develop a way of working together based on areas of agreement and to "agree to disagree" on subjects/areas where our differences are considerable.

Conflict is something different from my perspective. Conflict involves fighting. Fighting necessarily results from a wish to destroy the other or to dominate enslave or oppress their point of view (or behavior). I do not and will not invest in interaction or a process which involves conflict or fighting. I just don't want to life my life that way. I would rather walk away giving the message I would be happy to discuss the issue further when a person is ready to do so without conflict hostility than to fight.

The only situation in which I would fight would be to protect myself or those I love from immanent harm - and even then, this would be a very rare occurance. Again, conflict, fighting is much different than asserting or standing up for yourself. I do encourage and invest in that kind of process ... not fighting though.

I am certain others my see this differently and disagree with my point of view. I welcome conversation on this subject and am fine with folks seeing things differently than I do.  

Mike

I'm going to try out video production expanding on my long time interest in photography ... I have ordered some equipment and will get started in the fall.

My impression is there are some similarities. Composition and lighting especially. Using image as a way of conveying narrative. Video ought to offer more opportunity though for using movement, sequencing, juxtaposition to evoke a certain state in the viewer in the process of conveying the story.

Yep ... I want to give it a try. When I do (have to get the HD camcorder, accessories, NLE program, etc.) I'll post to Vimeo and paste the link here.

Mike

Back from Toronto and just about caught up with everything I had on my plate waiting for me when I returned.

I really enjoyed Toronto. Really nice to be in Canada again. The people were great. There is something about the Canadian national spirit - their social compact to make the common good a priority, to live a reasonable life, a real appreciation for what it means to be part of an educated citizenary which I find to be so inviting when compared with the selflish individualism which detracts from a shared social compact in some quarters here.

The convention went very well for me. My half-day workshop was well-received and I had several publishers ask me to consider writing a book for them. Best of all, I saw friends, colleagues who expressed deep appreciation for the way I have lead the effort to put together the rehab conf program for next Feb.

In my experience there have been too many situations in life when people haven't offered appreciation for my efforts, what I can offer, my talent, ability and caring. I am learning now gradually to be more secure, confident and to recognize the reason why others at times aren't able to accept the gifts each of us have, our potential to contribute in a meaningful way to our shared common endeavors. With a deeper level of understanding instead of engaging in self-doubt, feeling insecure, and cautious I am more in touch with inner strength and sense of purpose which I could scarcely allow myself to acknowledge in my youth ... as if to somehow protect that part of myself until it was time to blossom. One of my former analytic supervisors, a great colleague and now a close friend recently share with me he found me to be fearless in my work with a rare kind of courage to deal with any kind of concern my patients might have, and the determination to be with them in the worst moments, most desperate of times to show them they could choose another path and see their way through to a different kind of life, a brighter day. 

In his work Jung spoke of the way people live each half of their lives differently. Some spring forth more fully when young then later become concerned with a sense of decline and loss of vigor. Others perhaps struggle more early then come into their own in the second half of life making the most of every moment they have. I'm one of those second half types.

Mike 

I'm off to the American Psych Association convention in Toronto. I've been preparing a half day workshop I am giving Thursday afternoon for months. Lots of meetings and functions to attend since I am program chair for the rehab meeting in Tucson next Feb. I have never been to Toronto before so I'll have to make sure to save time to check out the city.

Be back Sunday evening ...

Mike