This is http://www.essayz.com/a9805303.htm Previous-Essay <== This-Essay ==> Following-Essay Click HERE on this line to find essays via Your-Key-Words. {Most frequent wordstarts of each essay will be put here.} ========================================================== %VIOLENT CONFLICT ROOTS ORIGIN PERCEIVE FRAME SIN+980530 %DEFINE CREATE RESPOND FEAR THREAT RISK SECURITY 980530 Our violent conflicts often originate in our imprudent ways of: perceiving, framing, defining, creating, responding to, and fearing threats. our personal and communal integrity --- and then respond prudently to such an objective threat; e.g., a tornado, hurricane, erupting volcanoe, falling object, or major thunderstorm. When the threat is clearly in the realm of objective realities ---our perception, recognition, naming, description, and response are not likely to create a threat where one did not exist before. It is quite a different thing to project out into the world of objects, people and reflexive relationships --- our own anxieties, fears and conflicts. Our assumptions, beliefs, attitudes and manners of approach can: frame, define, create, engender, formulate, or foment a threat which did not exist apart from us. Or, our response to a minor threat which does exist apart from us --- can turn it into a major threat to our personal and communal integrity. Threats to our personal and communal integrity may be external and objective in nature --- existing in the realm of objects involved in processes which will impinge upon us in destructive ways --- unless we are prudent in predicting, anticipating and responding to what is about to happen. Threats to our personal and communal integrity may, however, be internal and reflexive in nature --- existing primarily in the realm of unhealthy personal relationships. Such threats often arise because of the foolish and imprudent ways in which we: 1. Perceive the natures of various threats. 2. Frame and describe what we perceive as threats. 3. Create contentious relationships with others. 4. Respond to opportunities, risks and dangers. 5. Fear that which is uncertain and/or unknown. 6. Formulate questions, beliefs, and convictions. 7. Seek to deal with differences and conflicts. 8. Formulate games and competitions for advantages. 9. Strive for superiority, righteousness, salvation. Often we view potential collaborators and co-workers as enemies --- and act in ways which fulfill our biased vision of what their nature is. Our fears often lead us to behave in ways which confirm our fears as valid. Our fears are not objective realities; they are reflexive realities. It is not simple to sort out the objective realities which may threaten our personal and communal integrities --- from the reflexive fears which are not grounded in truly objective realities outside of ourselves and our personal relationships. Some people are prone to trigger the development of contentiousness, conflicts and violence. Other people are disposed towards and skilled in transcending and resolving contentiousness, conflicts and violent relationships. We will do well and be well when we know how to discern the differences between people --- and to respect, honor and support those people who lead towards personal and communal integrity; rather than lead towards personal and communal disintegrations. (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy) ==========================================================