How To Improve Your Quality Of Life By Using The Seven Moments - Moment #2
- Date: 2007-07-19 - Word Count: 874
Share This!
Moment #2 - Conflict - "Keep life interesting: find conflict."
Conflict is necessary for us as human beings. We need it as much as we need air and water. Sometimes we win. Sometimes we lose. Sometimes there is no defined resolution, and conflict is its own experience.
Conflict can make us break down and cry. It can also make us happy, especially when we win a situation and are victorious. Conflict makes us think. It keeps us alert. It makes us react, and it forces us to learn. It can make our blood boil. Indeed, without conflict-without the possibility of failure or the potential for triumph-life would be utterly boring.
Some examples of conflict:
Conflict in a relationship: Conflict is inevitable when you are dating or when you are married. It can be a minor conflict. (You and your girlfriend argue over what you're going to watch on TV.) Or, it can be a major form of conflict. (Your husband is an alcoholic and has become physically abusive towards your children.)
Conflict in movies and books: Any fictional book or blockbuster movie is packed with conflict. Sometimes movies are so full of conflict that they make us physically tired and mentally drained by the time they are over. Have you ever felt that way about a movie? If you have, chances are strong that you just watched a great movie.
Conflict at work: We might get into an argument with a colleague over the whereabouts of our favorite pen. We have conflict when we fail to meet our customers' needs, and they confront us.
Conflict in sports: Competing against someone (or watching someone compete) is one of the stronger forms of conflict. The more civilized the society, the higher the demand for sports. Professional athletes get paid vast sums of money because the average American has become sedated. Our culture conditions us for a safe and monotonous lifestyle that allows for a cohesive existence within our society. We go to work, come home, and watch television. We pay our taxes. We live our lives in a manner to maintain a peaceful nation. Although it works, I believe we have put our human spirit to sleep to such an extent that we need to stare at a television and get our "conflict fix" by watching other people compete. I don't see this changing anytime soon because where else are we going to get physical conflict without the risk of breaking some law, going to jail, or getting hurt? Whether you sit in a recliner and watch sporting events on television or you're actually a participant in a sporting event, sports go a long way in satisfying our human need for conflict. Most people have very little conflict in their lives, and their easiest solution to finding conflict is to watch sports. They get home from work, flip on the television, and wait for "the big game" to start.
Other examples of conflict:
You confront someone about a lie.
Your car won't start.
You struggle daily to wake up and get to work on time.
Aside from moral beliefs and laws, conflict is conflict. From that perspective, robbing a bank is a pretty strong form of conflict that will enhance your human experience to a degree that most people might never feel. However, the repercussions of being a bank robber might not be so much fun. Sky diving is another great form of conflict (potential terminal conflict with the ground). Will you survive the fall, or will you squash yourself?
There are four categories of conflict:
Direct, physical conflict: a fistfight or boxing match, a football game, rugby, a karate match, fencing, bullfighting, wrestling
Indirect, physical conflict: a baseball game, soccer, horseracing, a marathon
Indirect, mental conflict: a game of chess or checkers, an argument, the game show "Jeopardy", a video game
Conflict with yourself: disciplining yourself not to buy that donut every morning on the way to work, telling yourself not to call your ex-boyfriend, telling yourself not to drink, disciplining yourself to study for that upcoming math test, biting your tongue when someone you love says something hurtful
I think most people define retirement as conflict free: no more boss, no more driving to work, no more deadlines, no more alarm clock. I have a different perspective. By eliminating work and the opportunity for the conflict work brings with it, I think we are potentially cultivating a sedated lifestyle. If anything, retirement should mean that it's time to experience the type of conflict that is most appealing and most challenging to ourselves. It's the time of our life where we get to choose the situations that will rattle us the most.
Conflict is a necessary part of the human experience. Eliminate it and life becomes about as exciting as a piece of toast. If you want to keep your life interesting, here is the answer: find conflict. Hopefully you can find conflict that is not life threatening yet still has an element of loss/triumph attached to it. Then again, maybe life-threatening conflict is the best way to go.
The next part of this article series is titled How To Improve Your Quality of Life by using the Seven Moments - Moment #3
"This is a multi-part article submission with excerpts directly from my book Life: The Seven Moments that really matter. Enjoy. - Christian Blake."
Conflict is necessary for us as human beings. We need it as much as we need air and water. Sometimes we win. Sometimes we lose. Sometimes there is no defined resolution, and conflict is its own experience.
Conflict can make us break down and cry. It can also make us happy, especially when we win a situation and are victorious. Conflict makes us think. It keeps us alert. It makes us react, and it forces us to learn. It can make our blood boil. Indeed, without conflict-without the possibility of failure or the potential for triumph-life would be utterly boring.
Some examples of conflict:
Conflict in a relationship: Conflict is inevitable when you are dating or when you are married. It can be a minor conflict. (You and your girlfriend argue over what you're going to watch on TV.) Or, it can be a major form of conflict. (Your husband is an alcoholic and has become physically abusive towards your children.)
Conflict in movies and books: Any fictional book or blockbuster movie is packed with conflict. Sometimes movies are so full of conflict that they make us physically tired and mentally drained by the time they are over. Have you ever felt that way about a movie? If you have, chances are strong that you just watched a great movie.
Conflict at work: We might get into an argument with a colleague over the whereabouts of our favorite pen. We have conflict when we fail to meet our customers' needs, and they confront us.
Conflict in sports: Competing against someone (or watching someone compete) is one of the stronger forms of conflict. The more civilized the society, the higher the demand for sports. Professional athletes get paid vast sums of money because the average American has become sedated. Our culture conditions us for a safe and monotonous lifestyle that allows for a cohesive existence within our society. We go to work, come home, and watch television. We pay our taxes. We live our lives in a manner to maintain a peaceful nation. Although it works, I believe we have put our human spirit to sleep to such an extent that we need to stare at a television and get our "conflict fix" by watching other people compete. I don't see this changing anytime soon because where else are we going to get physical conflict without the risk of breaking some law, going to jail, or getting hurt? Whether you sit in a recliner and watch sporting events on television or you're actually a participant in a sporting event, sports go a long way in satisfying our human need for conflict. Most people have very little conflict in their lives, and their easiest solution to finding conflict is to watch sports. They get home from work, flip on the television, and wait for "the big game" to start.
Other examples of conflict:
You confront someone about a lie.
Your car won't start.
You struggle daily to wake up and get to work on time.
Aside from moral beliefs and laws, conflict is conflict. From that perspective, robbing a bank is a pretty strong form of conflict that will enhance your human experience to a degree that most people might never feel. However, the repercussions of being a bank robber might not be so much fun. Sky diving is another great form of conflict (potential terminal conflict with the ground). Will you survive the fall, or will you squash yourself?
There are four categories of conflict:
Direct, physical conflict: a fistfight or boxing match, a football game, rugby, a karate match, fencing, bullfighting, wrestling
Indirect, physical conflict: a baseball game, soccer, horseracing, a marathon
Indirect, mental conflict: a game of chess or checkers, an argument, the game show "Jeopardy", a video game
Conflict with yourself: disciplining yourself not to buy that donut every morning on the way to work, telling yourself not to call your ex-boyfriend, telling yourself not to drink, disciplining yourself to study for that upcoming math test, biting your tongue when someone you love says something hurtful
I think most people define retirement as conflict free: no more boss, no more driving to work, no more deadlines, no more alarm clock. I have a different perspective. By eliminating work and the opportunity for the conflict work brings with it, I think we are potentially cultivating a sedated lifestyle. If anything, retirement should mean that it's time to experience the type of conflict that is most appealing and most challenging to ourselves. It's the time of our life where we get to choose the situations that will rattle us the most.
Conflict is a necessary part of the human experience. Eliminate it and life becomes about as exciting as a piece of toast. If you want to keep your life interesting, here is the answer: find conflict. Hopefully you can find conflict that is not life threatening yet still has an element of loss/triumph attached to it. Then again, maybe life-threatening conflict is the best way to go.
The next part of this article series is titled How To Improve Your Quality of Life by using the Seven Moments - Moment #3
"This is a multi-part article submission with excerpts directly from my book Life: The Seven Moments that really matter. Enjoy. - Christian Blake."
Related Tags: life, quality, christian, happiness, happy, enjoy, improve, live, seven, moments, happier, blake
Christian Blake first discovered the Seven Moments in 2001 and has since written two books on the subject. One is written for the general public: how to be happy when you can't have what you want in life, and the other is geared towards entertainment; specifically teaching screen writers how to write a great movie script.If you prefer to read more of Christian Blake's general writing, please visit Orange County Writer Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Control Of Your Emotions: Kill Stubborn Weeds While Leaving The Carrots Intact!
It is clear that no one wants to control their emotions in such a way that it would make them all di - Negative Self Talk Has Negative Power Over You
Negative self talk is destructive of our self-esteem, happiness, and potentially harmful to your hea - Get Your Ex Boyfriend Or Girlfriend Back Today
Break-ups are extremely difficult and you will have to go through all of the different emotions in o - You Can Think And Grow Rich
Or; How To Win The LotteryFirst let us get something cleared up, the universe is the provider of all - Replenish Your Soul: Are You Too Good For Your Own Good?
Do you ever feel bogged down by being too good? It happens all the time and it's dangerous! Being to - Three Reasons Why Life Quotes Are So Enlightening
Life quotes are truly enlightening. I read them several times a day. There is something magical abou - 3 Ways To Beat Shyness And Improve Your Life
Shyness can have a huge impact on your life. It can stop you socialising, getting on at work and gen - The Secret Of Cultivating Independent Happiness
Happiness is defined in many ways and it's different in every person. Many people chase it, trying t - Why Are There So Many Unhappy People?
Many people are unhappy and discontent with their life because they are either poor, physically impa - Is There A Key To Instant Happiness?
The key to instant happiness is the detachment we feel about a person, a situation, or a thing to ma
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Cymbalta for Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a general chronic condition. There is extensive musculoskeletal a - Where is the REAL World
How often have you heard the statement, "Welcome to the real world", especially from someone trying - Secret to happiness
Is there a secret to happiness? You probably are expecting me to say "NO, there is no sec - View from Another Planet: Learning to Talk to Our Children
Our goal in conscious communication is not to change the other person . . . Our goal is to establish - The Story of a Smile
I was walking along the London underground in a hurry, late one night, and a busker was playing his - Finding the Real You
Where do you begin the search? It almost seems like a joke. To many, it is the real meaning of life. - Instant Drug Testing Methods and Procedures
Drug testing involves many different methods and devices that detect whether or not a person has bee - Be Happy: If Happiness is the Goal, How Do I Get There?
"The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passi - Important Things to Know about Alcohol Abuse and Alcohol Testing
While alcohol consumption is considered to be a recreational activity for adults, it can carry - New Beginnings: The Gift of Starting Over
I recently had the pleasure of seeing the movie, "50 First Dates" starring Adam Sandler and Drew Bar