St. Andrew's Role

Today, our cathedral parish of St. Andrew's celebrates his feastday. He was the apostle who introduced his brother Peter to Jesus. Likewise the boy with the loaves and fish.

With just about two speaking lines in the Gospel, to the end he characteristically refused to be crucified upright like Christ.

Mediators could follow his example of humble and minimal talking in quiet service to others.

Change of Hands

CNN PH's feature on Children in Conflict with the Law had this insightful quote. "Hands which committed crime now make paper roses" at Quezon City's Bahay Molave.

Mediation likewise changes attitude, behavior and life.

Digital Dementia

During last Sunday's TV Mass over CNN PH, the priest had this term for the current trend of gadgets ruling men.
At weddings, the bride and groom could say, "Like" instead of "I do." In like manner, the priest replies, "Don't forget to tag me."

Could digital mediation be far behind?

Directions

Jerry Seinfeld observed that today's kids use "up" with almost all verbs. With adults, the last word is "down."

Age could be the matter in mediation as in, "What do you know, at your age?"

Change of Hands

CNN PH's feature on Children in Conflict with the Law had this insightful line. "Hands which committed crime now make paper roses" at Quezon City's Bahay Molave.

Mediation likewise changes attitude, behavior and life.

I sue issue

Mediation involves ego as well as, if not more so than issue.

Mediators are bruised-ego massagers.

Alone from A-hole

What a difference a letter has! Adapted that from an FB article that stated "strong women prefer to be alone than be with an a-hole."

Or bring that person to mediation.

People are Puny

Especially in the Lower House. They really deserve their location. This was proven during yesterday's impeachment hearing on the Chief Justice. These puppets would even look to the camera when standing to vote as if anticipating their reward.

Disputants, on the other hand are precisely empowered to resolve their own conflict. Their very own crafted Compromise Agreement is to their credit.

Love without Borders

TexMex has a new meaning after a couple separated by the American version of the Berlin Wall got married when the gate opened.

Mediation is another wall-breaker.

Hanoi Hilton

Take it from American GIs to try and make light of adversity. You'd think they were glamping it up! In the end, most of them got out of it, give or take some trauma and deaths.

Disputants better approach mediation in the same light, optimistic vein.

Ram-page

Lots of them in Facebook, choking us almost to death!

The Compromise Agreement is not one to be rammed down the throats of disputants or each other. It is amicably drawn between them.

Pharma Sea

Serious pun featured by CNN's Vital Signs. They are now fishing for antibiotics in the Sea of Norway.

So is the Compromise Agreement up to the disputants.

Mediators' 2nd Home in Tagaytay

Home is where we hang our doubts.

Pointing Out

Family Ties' episode had daughter Mallory correcting her friend Skippy who said the Nile was in Paris thus, "It's in London."

Three fingers can point back at us when we point out.

First Korean War

While featuring witty repartee, MASH is actually about the Korean War. One medic is depicted sleep- walking and playing basketball to escape reality's nightmare.

If not mediated, the next Korean War could be the last for all of us.

Chiang Rai of Hope

CNN PH's Trippies showed Pepe Diokno in Thailand where they conserve trees by just gathering their bark, and only one side at a time, to make paper. Such regard for mother nature!

Mediation has too for human nature.

Blind Snider

Might as well as Snyder swims competively against all odds despite becoming blind in Afghanistan.

Mediation likewise enlightens disputants blinded by so many issues.

Such a Drone

Not only to take aerial photos, drones are now seeding hectares in a jiffy.

Mediation is like that in facilitating justice between disputants.

My Ex and Whys

This ABS- CBN production had an insightful line, "I am not my mistake."

But one can make-up for it in mediation.

MASH

This all-time favorite sitcom was ironically about an army surgical hospital in Korea. The doctors, nurses and staff were depicted coping with war. Their chaplain said it all with, "No matter how you bluff, you have to lay all your cards on the table eventually."

Sounds like mediation, too.

Water Runs Dear

It does, at the Quezon City jail. Spilling its pail can start a riot!

One resource we take for granted is another man's treasure.

Scientology Silence

Crime Investigation's feature on interviews with former Scientology members was a mouth-opener. Previously they practised omerta or silence.

In court cases, a one-sided hearing is called ex-parte. Mediation on the other hand deals with ex-parties.

Might is not Right

Not a modern motto but from God in Jeremiah 23:10.

Mediation is the equalizer.

Civil? War

German pioneer immigrant Marcus Spiegel led Ohio's  anti-slavery drive during the Civil War, better described as Criminal. War ends civility.

And mediation quells "civil wars."

Quakers and Shakers

HISTORY's episode on American immigrants could have been recommended viewing for Trump. The first settlers on the eastern seaboard led by Mr. Buckham instituted the handshake to symbolize equality.

So it is also between disputants as promoted by the mediator.

Healing Circles

This group daily sends consoling thoughts, like this one: Something beautiful is about to happen in your life. Believe and receive.

Could range from a windfall to a smile from a stranger. Or a Compromise Agreement between disputants 

Family Ties

Another insightful sitcom rediscovered, with this line "I like people like me." While natural, not very Christian.

Even mediation takes all kinds.

Cheers

Discovering HITS sitcoms, struck by this line from the bar at Cheers: I can't be trusted, trust me.

Good to be candid and sincere in mediation, too.