Be a Peacemaker

Every morning, I receive an inspirational message from the Napoleon Hill Foundation. This one really spoke to me - especially after watching the "Stand by Me" video Lin Klaassen posted... if you want to get these daily messages, go to http://www.naphill.com and click on "Thought for the day" at the top of the right column.

IF YOU MUST MEDDLE IN HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS, TRY TO BE A PEACEMAKER. YOU WILL FIND THAT YOU DON’T HAVE MUCH COMPETITION.

When faced with a conflict between others, most of us are more inclined to walk away from the situation than to become involved. If we do allow ourselves to become a participant, it is usually by adopting the position of one at the expense of the other. Of course, such behavior does little to resolve the dispute and may in fact exacerbate the problem. But when you make a genuine attempt to help resolve the situation, you should not be surprised if you’re the only one. We are all complex individuals with feelings and emotions we often don’t fully understand. Sometimes the mere involvement of a disinterested party is enough to help resolve the dispute. Make sure, though, if you are the one in the middle that you don’t allow yourself to get into a position where you must choose between the desires of one person over the other. Work toward a compromise that best suits everyone’s interests.