My conflict metaphor

For me conflict is like writing a research paper. I tackle conflict with an academic point of view and method. You can begin with some background knowledge or with none at all, which can be very intimidating. Whether it is a conflict that I am struggling through or another person’s conflict that I am mediating, I first have to research. I want to know every side of the story. I look in depth, I want to figure out why I am feeling the way I am or why the other people are having problems. For me, the solution begins with defining the problem. I search for a long time to try and discover the root of the problem, whether the basis is on family life, religious tension, ignorance, etc. If I am trying to understand a conflict then I have to look at it from all angles, and sometimes I over-think the problem. Then I begin to piece it together, and look at what is most important, what factors have the most influence on the solution. As I put the problem together I continue to add in new things that I missed before, or cut out things that I realize are not contributing factors. And then by the end I hopefully come to a conclusion, where the problem is solved and all the loose ends are tied together.

Hannah Miller