Chap 8-The 3rd Alternative in the World (375) “You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist” Indira Gandhi. This involves rising above the exhausting, damaging fights that threaten our world around us and can tear apart remarkable people and relationships. A much better approach, we can take on a role of peacemaker, which is viewed as the highest expression of synergy. Wasatia means the midpoint between two extremes. We can follow this teaching to move towards a more balanced approach in life. There are types of empathic gestures that can help resolve a conflict. These gestures of empathy can direct change in attitudes. Being empathic allows us to make a connection more easily. We can do so by asking questions and finding out more about their perspective. We can enter into their world by repeating back what they are saying and show we can relate to “their story.”
Then we can shift the relationship from how we once saw them to how we see them now, possibly from a friend to an enemy. Mohammed mentioned a turning point when we discovered we can go from ‘us or them’ point of view to ‘us and them.’
Chap 9-A 3rd Alternative Life, the final chapter, is about “living in crescendo”
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“Where much is given, much is required,” Covey. This chapter describes many people truly live a kind of 2-Alternative life. This concept was very eye-opening, we work or we play. Most of us work hard so we can play. Most spend long hours at work with no exact goal in mind except to get through it as quickly as we can, therefore, we can go home and relax. We switch off every night until the switch goes on again the next morning.Covey illustrates how important it is to be an example of someone who is consistently making positive changes in the world. There is so much more to do, to learn and contribute. I believe that the 3rd Alternative is by far the best. Make a