Conflict: Is it really necesary?

Conflict. It has existed throughout the years of humanity. It still exists now, primarily because it is in the blood, of we humans, the warmongers. It will still cary on its legacy, even when we are long gone, our flesh and bones returned to the earth. Not a very difficult concept to grasp.

I believe most ALL conflicts are started for selfish reasons. It is evident in our daily lives. A difference in concept leads to quarrels, with either party trying to enforce their ideas on the other. Now, I believe most people would say that it all boils down to making concessions, but how much leeway can you give someone? How do you define 'enough'? Ultimately, humans are narcissisic, egocentric beings, so I can safely assume, not much. Forgive me, for sounding so jaded about humanity.

Take for example, the recent Gulf War started by our dear former American president, Mr Bush. The reason for starting the war, at face value, was to combat terrorism. However, we all know otherwise. America is probably the world's largest consumer of crude oil. And Iraq i rich in crude oil. See the link?

This second example is on a personal level. I type the following part of this post with a heavy heart. For the last time I raised a conflict, it indirectly cost a friend his life.

It happened, close to two years ago, when I was still serving my national liabilities. Most people should be familiar with the term 'Sentry Duty'. A personal conflict arose between the Duty Orderly Sergeant (DOS - the bugger gave me 8 hours of sentry duty for the day.) and myself, so I deserted my sentry post in a fit of rage. I've never forgiven myself for doing that, till this day. Due to my selfish and thoughtless action, our book-out timing was delayed for almost two hours, with the supervisor giving a lecture on why we shouldn't desert the sentry post unnecessarily. Less than 4 hours after I got home, I received a phone call from a colleague, informing me that my fellow NSF was involved in a car accident on the way home.

Subsequently, he passed away, without waking up from his coma.

All that went on in my mind were "what if"s. What if I hadn't deserted my duties. He'd probably still be alive and well. What if I had been a little more accomodating? We probably wouldn't have had our book-out time delayed, and he probably wouldn't have met up with that fateful accident. Of course, all these, are just hypothetical. However, I still can't shake the fact off, that I was the indirect cause of his death.

To this day, I still think twice, thrice, four times even, whenever I feel that the anger is about to approach the limits. That one incident, is, and will forever be, a painful reminder to myself, branded onto the mind and soul.

I have the blood of an innocent on my hands. Will you risk the same thing, over a selfish reason?

On a side note, wish all my friends and classmates good luck for the coming mid terms! Let's all work hard together. :)

EXTRAS:

A comical, albeit vulgar video on how to handle conflict. :)