THE EDITOR, Sir:Every well-thinking Jamaican must be quite distraught and disappointed that the murder statistics for the new year are shaping up to be 'business as usual' where 2005 ended. Some of us prayed and hoped that our zeal for peace would know some respite and our tears would no longer flow as Rock of Ages becomes more elusive.
The absence of respect and love for other people is one issue, but the propensity and speed with which our fellow citizens kill each other for the simplest of transgressions is frightening. Simple conflicts can be a complex factor in everyone's life and as such, regardless of the simplicity, these deserve great attention before they explode into fatalities. When one social being meets another, the potential for conflict is always present, even it it is something as trivial as your partner's choice to pose or play the wrong domino.
Conflicts of one sort or the other are inevitable and since we are all different human beings with a variety of likes and dislikes, how we handle and resolve them can make a difference in whether we live or whether we die. Learning how to constructively manage conflict can have long-term beneficial effects and we must in 2006, endeavour to teach this important skill as a national priority.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Management of conflict will also mean learning to involve others and when done properly, we could find that conflict resolution will have positive benefits for interpersonal development as well.
The energy which can come from exploring or resolving strife can be channelled towards improving one's self esteem, developing more and better social skills and the ability to communicate more effectively. This will take time, energy, some empathy and effort, which in themselves can be understood by the aggrieved person as genuine support and caring.
When we empathise and show love, we share a common bond of feeling and concern for the other person by identifying with their emotional state. Notwithstanding the fact that such a person's point of view may not be exactly the same as ours, we may be able to see and understand the situation from their perspective.
YOUR BROTHER'S KEEPER
We must find more creative and innovative ways to become our brother's keeper and more friendly neighbours even to those considered 'irredeemable.' There was a time in our history when the 'golden rule' was a way of life and citizens knew and understood that there was always a school teacher, a Justice of the Peace, a pastor or a respected 'village lawyer,' that one could call on for empathy, respect and love.
There was always an available 'friend at midnight' and some of us now need to rediscover some of our lost values and attitudes and bring back love in the home, our community and our country.
Love is the second of the Commandments, We need to exhibit lots more of it and remind ourselves that it is much greater than political or Christmas charities.
I am, etc.,
SONIA CHRISTIE
Stewart Town
Stewart Town P.O., Trelawny
