Maggie is our host and these are her questions for today. Do you love to argue your point or do you choose to avoid debate? I feel some conflict is unavoidable. What do you think? Are you outspoken on the state of the world? Does dialogue help or hurt? Have you ever known situations when you were compelled to ‘step into the fray’? When periods of conflict have subsided, how do you recover, re-center, and return to a place of tranquility?

Do you love to argue your point or do you choose to avoid debate? I will argue if there is an important issue that needs to be settled. However, most of the time I walk away because most things aren’t that important.

I feel some conflict is unavoidable. What do you think? I agree. There are times when conflict is unavoidable. In my position at work, I often have to correct some action or behavior which can lead to a conflict. It’s part of the job, but I do try to be as considerate as possible while doing so.

Are you outspoken on the state of the world? Does dialogue help or hurt? I am usually quiet about the world’s situation unless I am asked what I think. Then I will add my two cents to the conversation. I often learn other points of view when discussing these issues which I find very helpful. It’s always good to get a new perspective.

Have you ever known situations when you were compelled to ‘step into the fray’? I remember one time when I was in high school. There was a girl in one of my classes who was slow. There were also a few girls who were nothing but trouble makers and they set their sights on this poor girl. Well, they were absolutely awful to her. I kept my mouth shut for a day or two, then I stepped in. The teachers ignored their behavior. It all came to an end with me in the office and a call placed to my father. My dad walked into the office and asked me what was going on. I explained that this group of girls had been picking on this very sweet slow girl and the teaching staff just ignored the situation. At lunch that day those nasty girls took her food and smeared it all over her face.

That was the last straw for me. I got up and stopped it. I hit the leader in the face. She wound up with a black eye. The other two girls backed off. This poor girl who was completely humiliated was in tears. I was attempting to take her to the lavatory to help her get cleaned up, when a teacher grabbed me and took me to the office.

After I told my dad what had happened, he verified it with the disciplinarian. He then asked her what the heck was going on in that school and looked at me and said get your stuff you are leaving. That afternoon I was registered into a new school.

I do think that there are times when we must step in. The above situation is probably the worst situation I have ever been involved in but I would do it over and over again in the same situation. I believe we have to take care of each other and if you witness someone who is being abused and those in charge are not doing anything to stop it you have to step in.