Siouxland Magazine - Volume 2 Issue 2

nap, or any other thing that helps you release your
stress.
How we respond to conflict is important. Many people
react to the world around them which means that
they are driven by their emotions. Reacting to conflict
means that anger and yelling may be the “go to” in
every situation. I challenge you to begin responding to
conflict. When we respond to conflict we understand
the unique and wonderful things that the other person
brings to the world—even when we are frustrated with
them. We take some time and space to think through
what the frustration is and then with compassion and
empathy come back to the conversation. Choose a tone
that respects the other person. Finally, follow the advice
of Elsa in Frozen and “Let it go.” Remember it may not
matter in 10 years, so why let it ruin today.
I am a person who can often be guilty of plowing myself
into a fight or getting angry with people over things
that really are not that big of a deal. I can blame my
Irish/German heritage, my red hair, my intense sense
of justice, or my tendency to be a know-it-all but in the
end, I have made the choice to respond in certain ways.
When I am wrong, I try very hard to apologize and make
it right with the people that I have reacted rather than
responded to. Apologizing when things get heated might be
the gift we give ourselves during conflict—it helps the other
person too! Humility and empathy keep us grounded in
resolving conflict.
Colleen Freeman is the Psychology Instructor at Northeast
Community College in South Sioux City. She has her Master
of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is a PhD
candidate in Organizational Psychology.
“Questions open a space in
your mind that allow better
answers to breathe.”
– Richie Norton
Siouxland Magazine | Question / 13
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