Testing Reality During Conflicts Can Bring Matters to a Boil — & a Resolution

Neutral outsiders help keep disputants anchored to reality.

Our wishes, fantasies, & most often our emotions obstruct a clear view of the reality on the ground, especially in interpersonal relationships. It’s like the optimist & the pessimist walking through the railroad tunnel, the optimist glad to see the light at the end of the tunnel while the pessimist is convinced that the light is an approaching train. The realist is the engineer on the train who…