From The Daily Dialogue
From The Daily Dialogue
Broadcast of 8/15/98
Subject: [DailyDialogue #227] Interpretations
"Conflict creates the fire of affects and emotions; and like every fire it has two aspects: that of burning and that of giving light," - Carl Jung
It is normal and natural for us to attribute meaning to what we see and hear. When we make assumptions about what our partner means, we sometimes assume the worst and respond with criticism, contempt, defensiveness or withholding. When we react in this way, we burn our partner.
Marty and I are getting ready to go to a block party bar-b-que in our neighborhood. I think of the analogy of the fire and am reminded that the meat cooks best when the fire has burned down to coals. Conflict can lead to intimacy when we take time to let our initial reaction die down.
Experiment: The next time your partner is frustrated with you, say "I would like to check our my assumption. Would that be all right with you? I think you are frustrated because... Is that right?"
Affirmation: I am using the opportunity of conflict to reflect my inner light.
The Daily Dialogue is published each day of 1998 by e-mail. Copyright 1998, Eddy Brame and Marty Crouch, All rights reserved.
