We’re at a turning point. We claim we want civility. But let’s be honest; what we really want is for the other side to shut up.
We can criticize the politicians, but how many of us truly want to collaborate or cooperate?
Here’s the deal, Brothers
and Sisters, Ladies and Gentleman:
In Nagaland the N.P.F works for us.
They’re not going to change until we do. They’re not going to start thinking bigger until we start thinking bigger. Polarizing politics is not a new problem. During the recent election, I watched my close suburban community divide. People who once shared friendly backyard barbecues began to question each other’s morals and values. As a 17 year old boy I don't even have the right to vote but at the time I was a member of two groups, one very conservative, and one very liberal. Because they both considered me a like-minded peer, they spoke freely about the other side.
I got to hear their unfiltered assessment of “those people.” You know, “those people” who don’t share our values, who don’t care about our state and our country, or families or schools or God the same way we do. Both sides were equally self-righteous and judgmental. It broke my heart, because I knew that their values were more alike than they were different. I also knew there had to be a better way.
I spent a few time this past days say about a day in studying our world greatest problem solvers, people like Albert Einstein, Thomas Jefferson Mahatma Gandhi and Hitler. I dissected conflict after conflict to identify which behaviors enabled people to solve their problems and which behaviors kept them stuck. The result: The Triangle of Truth – a problem-solving model to rise above either/or thinking.
Based on the best practices of the world’s greatest thinkers, The Triangle of Truth is rooted in some principles like Embrace AND Make peace with ambiguity Hold space for other perspectives Seek higher ground Discern intent Elevate others Be the peace
The “I’m right so you must be wrong” paradigm isn't working. It never did, and it never will.
There’s a critical turning point inside every conflict when the two parties either attack each other, or they attack the problem. These above principles best practices of The Triangle of Truth keep the focus on the problem. If we want things to changes in Kohima, Dimapur, Wokha everywhere around Nagaland, we the people need to start the process. I used to sit on the sidelines criticizing politicians. Then I decided this is my State, my country; if I love it, I need to stop criticizing and start helping. Then not very late I realize it was my own Mom and Dad who were the one’s to make them sit in that position they are now.
Soyenthung Khuvung
Sainik School Punglwa,
Peren, Nagaland
