This quote (one of my favorites) from former President Jimmy Carter, sums up my feelings about war and violence.  People say things like “there have always been wars,” and “there are ‘good’ wars and bad wars, and good wars can’t be avoided.”  I disagree. I know I’m in the minority, and it’s not politically correct to say, but I think that after thousands and thousands of years, we should be able to find a better way to settle our differences than going to war. When I talk to groups about interpersonal relations, resolving conflict, and getting along with others, I sift through lots of articles, research and theories about the topic. I always wonder why we can’t apply these same tactics to help countries, and the world, resolve their differences.

So go ahead, tell me I’m naive and a dreamer. I know I’m oversimplifying. But I still hope and dream.

In libraries, as in other places of business, and in our lives, our homes, and all our relationships, we should all strive to get along with others. I know I work at it every day, usually failing, but often eventually reminding myself to listen to others, try to eliminate the problem, not the person, take the blame for my own part of the problem, and all the other tactics out there. It’s not easy. But the stakes are high. They are even higher when we talk about things like racial conflict, and war.  Really, can’t we all just get along?

This post was written in response to the Words Crush Wednesday Favorite Quotes Challenge.  You might want to check it out.