I had the radio on in the background as I worked. I could hear the start of a call-in program, but blocked it out - until I heard a woman saying she hadn't spoken with her sister in over 20 years.

That was a story I knew about. My sister and I could go for years at a time hunkered into painful silence. This woman was clearly in pain and hadn't the slightest idea what to do.... more...

Taking the first step in Facing Conflict is rarely easy. We can put it off until it's an elephant in the room...or worse, until it silently grows into a bear or whirlwind that bursts out unexpectedly. Avoidance and attack are choices with high costs. One keeps us stuck and anxious, the other breeds fear and undermines trust.

What else can you do?

Communicate and connect.
Resolve and heal.

Look into your own life: at your family, neighborhood, workplace, congregation, or town...and see what relationships might improve by facing a conflict.

This section on Resolve a Conflict, Heal a Relationship includes a variety of materials that can help you sort out how to move forward in resolving a conflict. Start with One Story if you would like to see what the experience was like for one woman and her sister, then check out Trails, Tools & Tips.

Join us...

One Story