Conflict Corner: Cause for Pause

By Barbara A. Bailey, PhD

As this year winds down, many of us take time to reflect, review, and reorganize our lives in anticipation of what is to come. I think that we do so because we want to keep what worked, move aside what didn’t, and feel we have some grain of control. But, life has a way of bringing us opportunity for growth by the “cause for pause” moments that show up in our path.

This year has presented me with many cause for pause moments: a new job, a bout with the flu; meeting new people; celebrating two family weddings; and, many more daily experiences that opened the door to conflict, internal and external, that these moments have a tendency to bring.

Preparation and opportunity did meet this year, presenting me with an unexpected job offer that fit me well. But, pausing to think it through gave me moments of internal conflict that I had to address. Does the job have the kind of work that I enjoy? Being 100% virtual and being a “newbie” into a team that has been together for years in an office but recently moved to a full virtual structure, how will I fit into a group that has its own culture well-established? After a time of pause where I reflected and reviewed, I said “yes” and reorganized my professional life to accept this excellent opportunity.

As with many times of change, our physical stresses can lead to a physical challenge. Yes, the flu found me within two weeks of starting the new job. Thank goodness for 100% virtual workplaces! My new coworkers barely had a chance to see me in meetings, and then I hid from them for a while. They heard the raspy voice; they received my contributions by email and text; I “showed up” and did my best. But, I sure couldn’t “show out” as a new team member with eye contact and facial expressions because I would have scared them away. Pausing to get well had to take precedence, and slowly but surely, the flu went away, and I continue to experience better health. And, yes, I now turn on the camera in meetings when required!

Family-focused events can bring opportunity for a pause to last far beyond the actual event. Being an attendee at one of the family weddings gave me moments to observe, listen, mingle, and reflect on those present and absent, and celebrate life and love. Being a favorite aunt at the other wedding just multiplied my opportunity

I could not be prouder of our community’s resolve and care over the past few years. It has simply been amazing to watch. Wonderful things are going on all over the place. Are they often reported? No, but we do it and will continue to do so. So, I challenge you to help us get this positive news out. Share a copy of this magazine with another person (in print, online, digital media, social media) – however, you want. You will find nothing but positive news, events, and encouraging happenings. Keep a “thankful mode” as we enter the new year of 2023 – a year fresh for new beginnings.

I am thankful for the Our Town Gwinnett family, friends, colleagues, staff, and partners. All the Our Town monthly magazines and End Resultz Media continue to grow rapidly. In addition, we have exciting growth plans and new offerings for 2023.

I wish you a safe and blessed holiday season and new year. I thank you for your role in our journey day by day, month by month, and year by year. We could not do it without you. So, until next year, and as always: this is my town, your town, Our Town!

to make them unappealing to potential poachers, these methods do not render active chemicals inert and allow harmful ingredients to make their way into the water and soil after being discarded.

“It’s up to all of us – hospitals, clinics, families and individuals – to ensure that we’re preventing medications from polluting our environment,” said Nancy Devine, chief operating officer at Verde Environmental Technologies Inc. “The good news is, it’s not hard to do the right thing to keep hazardous substances from harming the planet.” (BPT)

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