Comments on: All gardeners are optimists: what squirrels reminded me about conflict resolution

By: Diane Levin

Diane Levin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:47:39 +0000

Debra, thanks for building on the metaphor I began with. I agree that often fear is a stopping point — we fear change, we fear the unknown, we fear uncertainty, but most of all we fear confrontation. It’s why so many people avoid conflict in the first place. It’s hard-wired into us.

By: Debra

Debra — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 02:59:32 +0000

Thank you for your insightful thoughts. Within every seed is the instinct to survive. Yet, that instinct can in many situations be overcome with fear of the potential outcome that we might not survive. These are the times we are most human. . .and most fragile. We give in to the notion that competition, avoidance, or accommodation are our only solutions. So many sane opportunities for the resolution of interpretations of conflict exist. The answer lies in overcoming fear.

By: Diane Levin

Diane Levin — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:42:53 +0000

Okay, Chris, I admit it. After my profoundly poetic moment in my driveway in the early light of dawn, my next thought was way more prosaic -- indeed, worthy of Homer Simpson himself: "Mmmmm. Squash blossoms..."

By: Chris Annunziata

Chris Annunziata — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:25:31 +0000

Very profound post. But the struggling chef in me is left wondering what to do with the bounty. Maybe pluck the blossoms, stuff them with a ricotta mixture and fry them? Let the pumpkins grow and make a nice autumn soup? You[‘ve inspired me, but not likely in the way you intended!

By: Diane Levin

Diane Levin — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:19:34 +0000

Vickie, my friend, I am so touched by your kind words! It’s funny, because this was one of those posts that came to me out of the blue as I stood in my front yard very early this morning, looking at the pumpkin vine struggling along the ground. Sometimes that’s the best way to write — when inspiration flashes. If only it happened more often!

Thank you, Vickie, for your generous spirit!

By: Vickie

Vickie — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 14:25:00 +0000

Beautiful Diane. Perhaps none of us will ever write that “novel inside us” but blogging has given a few of us the privilege of reading the poetry in some of us. Truly. This is one of the most beautiful posts I’ve read anywhere ever and remember — I edit a literary journal. xxoo Vickie