| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | potential for harmony or discord manifest in |
| Scientists have long determined the universe is | | | | every situation. Opportunity is inherent in every |
| composed of two building blocks: matter and | | | | crisis just as tragedy lurks in the shadow of each |
| energy. Looking more closely one could argue | | | | triumph. Conflict appears as disparate interests, |
| matter and energy are actually the same | | | | divergent forces, or distinct intent. The friction of |
| phenomenon in different forms, but rather than | | | | conflict is the natural law of resistance that, as |
| engage in that debate, I offer for consideration | | | | strange as it seems, holds everything together. |
| two concepts to broaden your perspective on the | | | | There is no separating opposites. |
| life you lead in this world of things and motion: | | | | Like contrast, conflict is a necessary ingredient of |
| contrast and conflict. | | | | this experience. Conflict need not be negative, |
| Developing harmony in a world of conflict is the | | | | however. Good things can and do come from |
| difference between experiencing a fulfilling, | | | | conflict. The friction of contrary interests is a |
| rewarding, exciting life or enduring a painful, | | | | means of summoning energy and broadening |
| depressing, and tiresome one. | | | | perspective, a means to gaining strength. |
| Contrast is a necessary component of what | | | | The potential for harmony exists as one with the |
| defines this existence, what characterizes the | | | | potential for discord. Though both prospects exist, |
| universe we see and sense. Ours is a dualistic | | | | our orientation and judgment will not necessarily |
| reality, a reality of distinctions, observable | | | | bring both to light. Human nature often tends to |
| differences, unique signatures, shades of grey | | | | amplify contrast and empower conflict. We |
| contrast. In our dualistic world we cannot have | | | | highlight differences as opposed to seek |
| one side without the other. All events, all | | | | similarities. To understand the world around us, we |
| circumstances, all happenings, all forms, come into | | | | most often separate what are interconnected, |
| awareness as packaged deals. Contrast allows us | | | | codependent pieces into isolated, independent |
| to distinguish any "this" from "that" - any single | | | | parts. In so doing we often create greater |
| thing from all other things. | | | | disparity, sharpen contrast, and reinforce conflict. |
| Sir Isaac Newton's third law of motion states that | | | | If you can recognize this about yourself, you can |
| every action has an equal and opposite reaction | | | | begin to make a change. |
| and every force has an opposing force. Newton, | | | | To succeed in life, recognize you cause |
| through his energy expression, emphasizes the | | | | circumstances to be and influence outcomes by |
| duality of the natural world, the authenticity of | | | | your attitude and orientation. The choices you |
| opposites. | | | | make either sharpen or soften contrast and |
| Polar opposites are extreme contrasts between | | | | conflict. You have the power to harmonize |
| things - matter. Conflict, on the other hand, is the | | | | discordant forces - so nurture harmony. By |
| action of opposing forces, competing energy. | | | | nurturing harmony you will achieve unity of intent. |
| Conflict is the motion of contrast; where | | | | Unity of intent will lead to unity of purpose and |
| apparently disconnected forces work toward | | | | ultimately to unity of action. |
| what appear to be opposing, non-harmonious | | | | Cultivate harmony and you will become aware: |
| ends. | | | | you are in this with everyone else. Despite |
| This existence presents infinite possibilities. The | | | | contrast, despite conflict - all are one. |