List What You Know About Your Location
By maestro. Filed in Productivity |
The main challenges of this phase are anxiety and frustration or oppression. Time becomes our enemy. We see these characteristics in Vasilisa as she faces the huge tasks of sorting the corn and poppyseeds, the other chores, a short time frame, and the risk of death. We can see the first step to overcoming these challenges and moving through the Fire phase when she first lists what is overwhelming her.
The elemental gift of acknowledgment described in part 1 helps strengthen our hearts and keeps the fire burning under control. Acknowledgment is the powerful act of consciously noticing something, and it helps keep everyone involved. As painter and critic John Ruskin said, “The greatest thing the human soul does in this world is to see something, and to tell what it saw.”
Internal acknowledgment consists of reciting everything you know about a problem, whether or not you agree with it. As we read when Edina described their current situation at lunch with Gene, acknowledging our beliefs and fears can act as a pressure valve that relieves oppressive anxiety. External acknowledgment is even more powerful, since you are able to let another know that you see them and understand their argument. It relieves their concern, and as a result they are more willing to see you. When we acknowledge all the opposing views it strengthens us and allows the larger picture to emerge.
Taken From : The Way of Conflict—Elemental Wisdom for Resolving Disputes and Transcending Differences
