More than anything, I find that A Peace of My Mind is a project about listening. It’s a skill that’s in short supply these days. We listen with the goal of responding, correcting, debating, convincing or coercing, but what if we simply listened for the sake of understanding?

And another thing… 😉

We are quick to point out things that are wrong…ways we have been disrespected, disappointed, offended, or made mad. Just look at your social media stream today and you’ll know what I mean.

What if we spent time looking for what worked well? What if we celebrated successful examples of working together and finding ways to move forward?

Last month we did just that at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. We asked the students to think of a time they had resolved a conflict with someone different. They could define that difference in any way that made sense to them. Below, you’ll find some of the stories they shared.

When have you found success? When have you found yourself at a junction that could have led to conflict, but it led to understanding instead? Let’s do more of that.

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”

Photo originally taken for A Peace of My Mind at Augustana College on 10/24/16 in response to the question, “Tell us a time when you addressed conflict with someone who is different than you.”