Need for dialogue as a factor in resolving conflicts

This seemed like a measured response from the Chairman of Cardiff Football Club with regard to the on-going conflict between the Tan, the owner and Malky, the manager. 

“My definition of diplomacy is to create space for dialogue,” he said. “I have spoken to Vincent Tan and he has agreed I can go into bat to try to bring a solution to this situation.

“The important thing is that we try to find a way through this predicament. There is goodwill on Vincent’s side. I’ve not had a chance to talk to Malky just yet, but I will obviously do that as well.

“We need to have further dialogue to see if we can get through this together for the good of the club, which is the most important thing. We managed to create space for everyone to work together back in October and we have to see if we can do that again in order to move forward.

“At least we have a platform for dialogue, which gives us a chance to try to work our way through this. If we wish to work towards a reconciliation, Vincent Tan has offered us that opportunity to move towards that.

“If it works, it works. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. But at least I as a responsible person and chairman of this football club have tried my best. I’m not taking sides in this, I’m just trying to do my best for the good of the club. Let’s see if we can fix it.

Source : On-going saga at Cardiff Football Club 2013

Nikos Kazantzakis - Greek Writer

A conversation between Nikos Kazantzakis and an ascetic priest, Father Makarios 

There is only one way 

Ascent. To climb a series of steps. From the full stomach to hunger, from the slaked throat to thirst, from joy to suffering. God sits at the summit of hunger, thirst and suffering; the devil sits at the summit of the comfortable life. Choose. 

I am still young. The world is nice. I have time to choose.

Reaching out, the old monk touched my knee and said,"Wake up, my child. wake up before death wakes you up." 

I shuddered and said, "I am still young." 

"Death loves the young," the old man replied. "The inferno loves the young. Life is like a lighted candle,easily extinguished. Take care - wake up!" 

Context - http://www.ronrolheiser.com/columnarchive/?id=1297 Title:

Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi

1. "It's the action, not the fruit of the action, that's important. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there will be any fruit. But that does not mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result." (Context: Making a Difference. One Story at a Time by Warren Fernandez)