Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Human Relations: Two Models

photo from http://children.foreignpolicyblogs.com

Human Relations, Model One
Revenge!
Get-even!
Who’s right is most important (and I’m sure it’s me).
I deserve it.
He disrespected me!
I’m mad at her, and my family will side with me.

Radical Human Relations!
Turn the other cheek.
Be humble; getting even should not be a goal. Learning from each other is better.
In most cases it doesn’t matter who is right; people need to respect each other and learn to work together for good.
I can learn new ways of doing things; I may not deserve what I want. I may not even get what I want or anything at all, and that’s OK.
He disrespected me. I need to learn how to be assertive and take care of my needs without hurting him and disrespecting him back.
I’m mad at her; my family will encourage me to work it out with her and find a peaceful solution.

The first model seems all too common.

The second model is what I believe in. It’s harder to do. It’s harder to explain. It’s harder to internalize and live it by example. I believe when successful, it will make for a better world.

How does one go about modeling and/or teaching the New Model when the person one is dealing with believes in the first? That’s my daily challenge. Sometimes I have energy for the challenge, and sometimes I don’t.

Today I’m tired. It seems too hard. I hope tomorrow will bring me new energy.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hopefully we surround ourselves with others who have enough energy for the challenge when we don't - and hopefully their energy is infectious enough to bring us out of our malaise. But we all need a break sometimes. that's why I knit!

Unknown said...

I think you have to do what you think is right...keep at it...don't let the person/people tear you down...surround yourself with good..let go of the bad...and make it okay to do so! Some people are just revegeful... and you can't really do much to change them...but model grace...

Twisted Quilts said...

We discussed this in my Bible study last night. How do you teach your kids (or grandkids for me) how to do the right thing when so many are not.

Pattilou said...

..."But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God."
One of my favorites when I need to be uplifted.

Good luck to you as you continue to good continually.