Opposites In Harmony
Our family loves the winter olympics. We’ve been glued to our TV every night watching the latest from Pyeongchang, rooting for underdogs, tracking the medal count, and watching our favorite athletes display their skills.
My favorite aspect of the 23rd winter olympic games has been watching North and South Korea compete together in some of the events, a symbolic and significant gesture of unity.
Yin-Yang symbolism was prominent in the Winter Olympics opening ceremony. In Chinese philosophy, yin yang can be thought of as complementary, rather than opposing, forces that interact to form a dynamic system in which the whole is greater than the assembled parts. Yin-Yang is about opposites in harmony.
Competition has not always meant a win-lose battle between adversaries.
Dating back before the 17th century, teams would come together to “co-petition” the gods for blessings.
The traditional playing field is a rectangle dissected by a line with a circle in the middle. It was believed that blessings would be brought down in the circle, thus making it the focus of the contest. The overall purpose was to advance the greater good of the community.
I believe it is time to bring that focus back. I invite you to help usher in a new era where differences are seen as assets, not liabilities;
…when people from other countries are welcomed instead of feared;
…when divergent value systems sign a potential to solve great problems instead of stoking bigotry;
…where conflict is an opportunity to create something new instead of cut people off;
…when we focus on the greater good instead of the greatest number of retweets.
This is why I’m passionate about Compassionate Accountability. Compassion and accountability are opposites that can exist in harmony. Using the principles of compassionate accountability people can engage conflict without casualties in a creative “co-petition” for something good.
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Copyright Next Element Consulting, 2017
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1 Comments
I wish I could believe the feigned unity displayed at the Olympics is evidence for hope. Unfortunately, the evidence of the status of the dictator’s heart is proven by the humanitarian crises within NK. When his own people try to cross the border and end up shot by their own comrades, what evidence is there that he is willing to extend an olive branch to his enemies and work toward diplomacy? Diplomacy would mean he has to be Open and Resourceful to struggle with/alongside the South to come to an agreement. If he doesn’t show evidence of caring for those under his regime, how can he positively be compassionate to anyone else? As you have stated before, “One of the biggest trust-busters is lack of transparency around motives.” What are his motives?
Indeed. It takes all three to tango in drama, and all three compassion skills to exhibit compassionate accountability. Thanks, Trish, for your comments.
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