Conflict Corner: Hurry, Hurry, Hurry

By Barbara A. Bailey, PhD

Has the pace of life picked up lately for you?

For many, school has started back for you and yours. That schedule alone can bring a faster tempo of life in your home, your work, and all the other activities that we find ourselves constantly juggling.

Maybe, you have decided to look for a new job, continue to look for a job, or decided to open your own place. I know around my community that new businesses have opened, and I haven’t had the time yet to visit them for a taste of new food or hear some live music or just browse for support and welcome.

It just seems to me that the demands on time and the pace have picked up since a few weeks ago when I found myself in more control of my schedule. And I don’t know about you, but when this shift happens for me, I must take some breaths, some breaks, and some reality checks.

Conflict lurks when stress occurs. It has its own agenda and can erupt when time is short (real or perceived) and too much needs our attention (all at once). We get in the car and find ourselves distracted, gripping the steering wheel, and not paying attention and before we know it, we’ve run a stop sign, a red light, or a school zone. Hopefully, no one has been hurt by our actions, but it can happen “out of nowhere.”

You find yourself short-tempered. Your neighbor gives you a look and probably doesn’t realize he or she has done so across the parking lot or backyard. So much for a friendly wave or nod of the head, right? It’s not just you or me. It’s many of us and we need to think about it now.

Think about your plan of action when you get under stress from increased time pressure in your life. It will happen. It.will.happen. So, to keep the conflict gremlin at bay, what is your plan of action?

Exercise. Take stretch breaks. Eat (not the time to skip meals) or eat without reckless abandon if stress eating becomes your coping behavior. Talk it out. Journal your thoughts. Maintain your sleep schedule (a big one that many of us shortchange ourselves). Say “no” a bit more. Remember, as said often, “No.” is a complete sentence. What works for you?

If you don’t have a plan, now is the time to craft it (How do you like that one? I added another item on your to-do list!). If you have a plan, work it and adjust it as needed to maintain focus, health, productivity, and perspective.

I have a sign in my home office: “Peace. This We Choose Each Day.” When the clock races, when my mind tries to race with it, and when the pace quickens, I find myself repeating this phrase. Maybe it will help you to practice proactive conflict management of yourself “in times like these.”

Barbara A. Bailey, PhD is the co-founder and CEO of The Healing Bridge Foundation.

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REAL ESTATE CLOSING ATTORNEYS 3190 NE EXPRESSWAY STE 310 ATLANTA GA 30341 770-951-2223 phone 678-680-7908 fax Email- closings@closingtoday.com

Ryan’s Remarks Continued from page 7

So, go for your dreams. There is no “do over.” There are people who tell me, “One day I will do this,” or “Someday I will do that.” This is crazy talk to me. What are you waiting for? The clock is ticking for ALL of us. So, I encourage you to Make It Happen. If you want something bad enough, you will find a way. And if you don’t, you will find an excuse.

I hope you work to find the best in people and to try and make others laugh and smile. Let us love more and hate less. Let us actively listen to get to know a person, build a relationship, and stop judging them. Do we really know a person’s story? Or do we just know what we “think” it is? Living in an authentic way is what I call “walking the talk,” and it is what we all need and want to be around. If we seek to operate with the utmost in ethics and integrity, although difficult at times, you will be glad you did.

I wish you a safe and blessed October 2022. Again, we have 24 x 7 hours = 168 hours of time each week. So, make it count! Finally, I would like to share we have some wonderful things happening and are in growth mode, so stay tuned for more.

Thank you for continuing to support the businesses in our magazines. I know each of them personally, and they all get my highest recommendation. If you do not know them, give them a shot. You will not be disappointed.

Have a great month, Our Town community. And as always, thank you for continuing with me on the journey of my town, your town, Our Town!