Persevering Through Adversity

This wet weather has got me reflecting on a wet weekend in April of this year when a buddy and I rode the annual Paris to Ancaster Bicycle Race (www.parisancaster.com), revered as “Canada’s Spring Cycling Classic”. I’m an avid mountain biker and this would be my second time doing the race but the first time for my friend. Oh, and the race goes rain or shine, sleet or hail…or snow.

And snow it did – sideways, in fact, directly into our faces along with 50 km. winds as we rode across farmers' fields, gravel roads, single track trails (some covered in six inches of mud), and paved roads. When it didn’t snow it rained and when it didn’t rain it hailed.

I remember looking at my friend that day during a short break, our fingers wet and numb, the hail pelting our faces, with still half a race to ride, and his comment, barely audible: “Bernie it’s mind over matter at this point.” No kidding.

We finished the race in a glimmer of sunshine as we pumped up the last 1 km. – a double track trail straight uphill – to the finish line. And, did it ever feel great – better than last year I remember thinking.

It was all about the journey and the fight – with myself and the elements – to overcome adversity.

It’s a tough race even on a warm, dry, sunny day. Add the weather and you have adversity and real doubt about the ultimate outcome. Thoughts sneak into your mind questioning your will - can I really do this?; am I prepared to do this?

So, what does this experience have to do with conflict resolution? We all face adversity, those hail storms we’d prefer to avoid – a business dispute, a workplace team conflict, an extremely difficult client. Adversity presents us with an opportunity to grow, to learn, to be challenged, to change. When you face these situations, how do you respond? Do you check out, lash out or engage productively?

Effective conflict resolution requires engagement and participation in a productive discussion with all of the participants. This can be stressful, uncertain, exhausting and frustrating. While engaged, we may not see the end. What’s most important is to maintain faith in the process and perseverance in your desire to resolve the conflict, and you will reach the finish line. And, when you do the sun may be shining!

I intend to use this blog as an opportunity to share thoughts and musings about things or issues that interest me, hopefully with some connection to the world of conflict resolution. Thanks for taking the time to read this first entry. I welcome your comments.