Conflict
     Whenever you are confronted with an opponent. Conquer him with love........ Mahatma Gandhi

     Conflict is more than an argument or a struggle; it is negative interaction between two or more people who are interdependent and rooted in actual or perceived disagreement ( O'Hair & Wiemann,2012). Conflict happens daily, but the most important aspect is to try to find a compromise or a resolution. Many people often suppress their anger or just go along to get along. This brings me to discuss a disagreement or conflict I experienced abot 4 years along when I worked as a teacher assistant in a preschool environment. The lead teacher I worked with retired, and they had to hire another teacher for that classroom. A former teacher who had move to kindergarten had stated that if a position came open again she wanted to move back to pre-kindergarden. The assistant who worked with her wanted to move back in the classroom with her. From that pont things became very acomplicated and out of hand. The assistant became very angry and mean. I had a dicussion with the lead teacher and explain to her if she wanted her former assistant back, I would move with someone else. She said she didnot want her back. This person became very verbal and mean to everyone.
     The ways I handled this situation was to practice the skills of getting in touch with my feelings first, which was not to become angry or resentful. I had to horn in on my listening skills, in listening to what was being said to me, especially from the lead teacher. I understood the assistant feelings, however the decision was not mind to make. I had to practice assertive communication. I communicated with the lead teacher about my feelings, by explaining to her that if that is what she wanted I would step aside, in order not to be unprofessional and make things worst. The end result was to seek a solution, a solution we all could live by. The assistant walked around for a while longer after the decision, still mean and angry. She came around at some point.
     In my opinion, if there had been a lot of verbal and violent communication the end result would have called for a third party. However after the decision was made by the lead teacher, I think the other person realized that  the battle was not hers, but other people involved also. I also feel that some of the principle of nonviolent communication would have been used if the situation had gotten out of hand or had gone on for a longer period of time than was necessary. Nonviolent communication helps in peacefully and effectively resolving conflicts.  I was glad and also happy with the end results of my conflict. Today myself and this person are working in peace in another environment, and we are the best of friends.

     The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.......Mahatma Gandhi.

                                                                                   References
Mahatma Gandhi top ten quotes. Retrieved from http://www.allgreatquotes.com/top_ten_
     mahatma_gandhi_quotes.shtml
O'Hair, D., & Wiemann,M., ( 2012). Real Communication. An Introduction. Bedford, St. Martin's.