I find life particularly funny at times.
We’ve spent a while in class discussing the various forms of conflict and wrapped up our discussion today with an activity. This particular year, it seems as though conflict has been tracking me, always close on my heels. Every once in a while, I can feel it nipping at my heels and I know I’m about to get bitten.
As someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy confrontation, conflict and I aren’t necessarily the best of friends. Yet, as we discussed in class, without conflict – that healthy tension – any story falls flat.
Tonight, I take joy in the fact that my story must be altogether interesting given the amount of conflict I encounter on a regular basis. And yet, as I watch, and occasionally participate in the fray, I can’t help but recall one of my favorite mantras – especially for being a middle school teacher:
Conflict is inevitable, but drama is optional.
I had a great time with a big group of K-12 teachers once, asking them to make “an opinion continuum” — to line up from 1 to 10 for their attitude toward conflict. One being face it, bring on conflict it is healthy, to 5 for neutral and 10 being willing to do anything to avoid any sort of confrontation whatsoever.
Each had to negotiate with the other why they were standing where — and then some shared out.