Renee Rothberg's Blog, page 4

“Feelings of resentment infect relationships, self-esteem, and perceptions of society.”

Previous section: “Ferocity“

Today’s section from Descending into War, Descending into Contempt, pp. 30-31:

Casualties of Resentment

Resentment is felt throughout the presence of conflict. Conflict naturally arouses the feelings of resentment, and it feeds the feelings, even after the conflict has resolved or disintegrated. Feelings of resentment infect relationships, self-esteem, and perceptions of society.

The casualties of resentment are many. Some of them are listed here:

...

“…people continue to teach unkindness and hatred.”

Previous section: “Preparing for the Fight“

Today’s section from Descending into War, Descending into Contempt, pp. 28-29:

Ferocity

The viciousness that conflict enables buries humanity in quicksand. It pulls all down down, thinning the resources to stop the expectation that ferocity and viciousness are normal behaviors.

Ferocity is an innate quality in people—in all people, but it is usually contained. When ferocity is allowed to take hold, the results are often tragic.

Unki...

This section saddens me and I can’t find a sentence to emphasize in the title.

Previous section: “Dreading Events“

Today’s section from Descending into War, Descending into Contempt, pp. 25-27:

Preparing for the Fight

Similarities exist in gearing up for battles. There are physical preparations and mental conversations. Smaller battles require the same preparations as larger battles, if the stakes are crucial to either side.

In ongoing conflicts, preparation is muted by the need for constant engagement. These conflicts usually experience reduced physical a...

“The stage before experiencing calamity is filled with hope, anxiety, and fear.”

Previous section: “The Desire for Power“

Today’s section from Descending into War, Descending into Contempt, pp. 22-24:

Dreading Events

The stage before experiencing calamity is filled with hope, anxiety, and fear. Fear fills the lungs and shortens the breath. Anxiety flows through the blood and causes sleeplessness or hysteria. Hope is in the thoughts that the dreaded event will prove less dreadful than anticipated.

Shortening of the breath combined with sleeplessness can cause...

“Power is meant to be used for creative endeavors, not for physical dominance or emotional manipulation. “

Previous section: “The Equation of Conflict”

Today’s section from Descending into War, Descending into Contempt, pp. 20-21:

The Desire for Power

“I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be.”

In this quote by Tom Jefferson, power is in front of us, to be used when needed, with awareness of its effects and with awareness of its dangers. Awareness is the important factor for power, because its intoxicating nature ...

“Sources of conflict pervade the human condition…”

Previous section: “Feelings of Emasculation“

Today’s section from Descending into War, Descending into Contempt, pp. 17-19:

The Equation of Conflict

The possibility of conflict floats. It floats on the interactions of people, and changes course as posturing and understanding moves back and forth.

Each conflict has its variables and relations. They change over time and resolve. Separate from some conflicts is humility. Without humility, conflicts fester and widen. Resolution requ...

“…feelings of emasculation can cause withdrawal, depression, and desire for revenge.”

Previous section: “Feelings of Disappointment“

Today’s section from Descending into War, Descending into Contempt, pp. 14-17:

Feelings of Emasculation

Relationships require validation of all the participants. The relationships, whether between two people or many nations, establish frameworks in which people can create their lives. Validation comes from feeling secure in the relationships.

The feeling of security is very important to men and women. It enables them to work towards...

“Disappointment can be a strong emotion, and it intensifies feelings of contempt and the possibility of conflict.”

Previous section: “Feelings of Inequity”

Today’s section from Descending into War, Descending into Contempt, pp. 12-14:

Feelings of Disappointment

Disappointment is a feeling that afflicts from an early age, and no one is immune from its appearance. The growth process is accelerated when people work through feelings of disappointment. It is not a negative emotion when it is a catalyst for appreciation and adaptation.

Sometimes, disappointment is an accelerator of despair. Disapp...

“In negotiations in which businesses use unethical tactics or withhold information, the offending side brings inequity into the negotiations.”

Previous section: “Superiority Because of Religion and Race, Superiority in Societies”

Today’s section from Descending into War, Descending into Contempt, pp. 9-12:

Feelings of Inequity

Fairness is elusive. Nature is wide in its distribution of resources, and fairness is unrelated. Difference is the key. Nature is about differences infinitely dispersed. No two are quite the same.

Differences are physical and intangible. Within the physical manifestations are nuances and subtleti...

“…the sense of superiority feeds conflicts among families, communities, regions, and nations.”

Previous section: “All people are similar, and yet, there are some who consider themselves superior.“

Descending into War, Descending into Contempt, pp. 6-9:

Superiority Because of Religion

Many paths of elevation are available and desirable for reaching connection with God. Solitary prayer unites divinity with creation for the moments the connection is true. Prayer in groups unites divinity with creation for elevated connection when the connection is sincere. Both solitary prayer...