Two of our most potent emotions are fear and anger. They are part of our DNA. Our companions in the media know this and will sell ratings and papers to us riding on these two deeply ingrained feelings ... They can be used for good. Like, it’s helpful to run away from a person who is threatening you.
But next time you catch a glimpse of a headline or a little news banner, ask yourself what is really going on here.
See how we quickly and easily rise to the bait.
Sadly it can also happen in our day-to-day encounters. We can ‘push each other’s buttons.' Sometimes without realising it, sometimes sadly, just for the heck of it wanting to watch the smoke and the Catherine wheels.
But when it happens to our own selves it's a different thing altogether. We seldom act well when we are fear - full or grumpy. We are less than we ought to be. We are not the sort of people we are supposed to be. We can be better. I know this dear reader because I am hideously guilty of these things myself. We can become so immersed in our own maelstrom that we completely forget that the other person might well be sinking in a swirl of unhelpful emotion.
The best strategy I have discovered, in fact, the only strategy is to remove myself physically, psychologically and every other ‘lly’ out of the situation. Then step away figuratively, in time and in space.
It’s not easy and it will cost, but the fruits of making this ‘space’ might well be understanding and reconciliation. At least let’s give them a chance to grow and flourish. Our ‘adversarial’ world may not actually be as grumpy as we are led to believe.