I recently headed to Seattle for a conference. It was an overnight trip so we decided that I would leave the kids at home and go it alone. As I first started driving away—with my mocha and my own music—it was great. I was free.
Blog
Planting Strawberries
May 7, 2010 by |
I’m settled in Eugene, Oregon and have spent the last month getting my home set-up. The truth is, I’ve mostly been playing in my garden.
Ask for Peace, Do Not Feel Insignificant
April 29, 2010 by |
The work of conflict resolution sometimes places us in situations that call upon us to invite and implore and beg those with overwhelming power to engage with us, on behalf of our clients, in the peacemaking process.
Engaging Interfaith Dialogue
April 29, 2010 by |
Religion can be a powerful force for peace; it can also motivate division and hostility. St. Francis, frequently called the Universal Brother, was particularly successful in interfaith dialogue, as documented in the story of his meeting with the Sultan Malik al-Kamil.
Do Not Give Peace a Chance
April 28, 2010 by |
In a Wall Street Journal editorial this week (Peace Processes Never Work), Bret Stephens argues that many if not most high profile peace efforts fail. The facts cited in the article seem imply or even prove that peacemaking is a mostly futile endeavor.
A Minor Friar
April 28, 2010 by |
In the “worth mentioning” category… are my recent visits to the blog titled “A Minor Friar” scripted by Franciscan Brother Charles.
Deceptive Appearances
April 27, 2010 by |
Deception can present a significant challenge in conflict resolution. By the time parties “get to the table” the truth has taken a brutal beating and their versions of the facts differ. The difference in their expression of what happened often arises out of deception.
The Fruits of Kindness
April 13, 2010 by |
Few of us encounter such dramatic conversions. However, most of us face situations in which a kind gesture makes a real difference to someone, even someone who has fallen into harming others.
But You Promised!
April 8, 2010 by |
When we pop the hood and peer into the engine of hostility driving a conflict it pays for us to look closely for disappointed expectations. Typically, at the heart of conflict we find broken dreams and dashed hopes.
JustPeace
In a recent blog post I spoke of ecumenical and interfaith dialogue. A few days later I discovered the Facebook page for JustPeace, the Center for Mediation and Conflict Transformation of the United Methodist Church.