Whatever helps

Another idea that doesn't suck. Socks with printed accupressure points on the soles.

Mediation has to be just as creative.

Prayer

Legal documents contain a prayer or pleading at times.

Definitely mediation could likewise start with one for disputants to compromise toward a win-win settlement.

Food for thought

Our Daily Bread reflects on the creative "days" of God Who saw them as good. We  note that the Bible further says "seed-bearing plant...and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food."

Vegans like to take this literally as well as compare our teeth to that of cud-chewing animals, not like the sharp fangs of carnivores.

Childspeak

Be careful what you utter in front of children. In Our Daily Bread, thank God the parent's word was "enormous."

Mediating childsplay is also kids' introduction to fairness.

Washing

Our Daily Bread reflects on Jesus' example of servant leadership.

Mediators facilitate washing of dirty linen in private.

Perspective

In one HITS' Family Ties episode, Mallory was failing in school. Her brother asked, "very badly?" "No, quite well," was her reply.

No room for misinterpretation in Compromise Agreements.

Pre-mediation

"Habakkuk's Complaint: Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails."

Time for mediation.

Too many mediators

They surely spoil the brewing controversy regarding the boat sinking with a group of 22 Pinoy fishermen.With questionable motives, the DU30 men have twisted the details "while the investigation is going on."

Trust only an impartial mediator with no hidden or obvious agenda.

Reason to Smile

Our Daily Bread says "words of encouragement matter." St. Paul further reminds the Thessalonians to "make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else."

Then, mediators can retire.

Rizal

As we celebrate our National Hero's birthday today, we recall his words that we were not yet ready then to take on Spain militarily. Sounds like DU30 now speaking about China this time.

Trumpet

Classica on cable traced this musical instrument as used originally for war in Krakow  to warn against the Huns!

Now it also means to boast of one's achievements.

Traffic

On the road of social media is managed by an administrator- to keep traitors away.

Bonifacio

The journey to our independence was fraught with betrayal. Bonifacio was set to discuss issues between the factions among the revolutionaries when he himself was ousted as Supremo and then charged with treason!

Dangerous time for mediators then.

Mediators' Mandate

Our Daily Bread features St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians: "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Amen!

Reel Life

Drama continued on the set after veteran actor Eddie Garcia accidentally tripped on a wire while filming. Life's camera rolled when men without shirts carried him to a cab for the hospital. The television station has a lot to answer.

Clouds

Our Daily Bread features these ever-passing caricatures from God. In Zen, we are to treat thoughts that distract us from meditation as just that- passing by so just let them do so.

In mediation, we burst them to conclusion.

Evidence

Between Chinese flags sold in Rizal Park and Batasan passing the Bill on Federalism, unlimited terms of elected officers and lifting the ban on political dynasties, there is nothing to celebrate this "Independence Day."

Mediation deals with facts, not claims.

Mediating Panic

Catholic Express featured the story of a priest in the Titanic. An English convert from Protestantism and Anglicanism, epileptic Fr. Thomas was one of three on board- the two were from Bavaria and Lithuania. He was bought a ticket by relatives as he was to officiate at a relative's wedding in Brooklyn, New York. On that faithful Sunday he said Holy Mass at steerage where there were many Irish. That evening, while praying on deck, he heard the alarm and went down below deck. He called out for silence before they all recited the Act of Contrition. Then he guided the women and children up to the lifeboats. He stayed behind with the rest who couldn't be accommodated, despite being offered a seat several times.

A model mediator till death!

Finding Waldo

Our Daily Bread mentions this book which has children searching for him hidden in each page.

In mediation, disputants reach a compromise through goodwill extended to each other.

A Reason to Sing

Not for whistleblowers, but real thing. Our Daily Bread reminds us to sing for physiological and psychological reasons plus especially in faith in God.

And in mediation.

Mediating Street Dogs

A documentary featured the survivor instinct of three puppies who were left to fend for themselves in the streets of Thailand.  When they lie on their back and expose their organs, they declare themselves as no threat to others.

Mediators are keen on similar signals from disputants.

Picking Battle

Mark Wahlberg grew up in a huge Catholic family in Rochester, Massachusetts. A brother recalls with their mother that they did not pay attention to gunshots at a nearby facility. There was enough noise between their parents, cat and dog, and among siblings. The positive result- Wahlburgers business!

Ecotherapy

Truly Mother Nature heals! That is the belief of Karla Delgado's Kai Farms in Silang, Cavite.

For human disputes, there is
mediation.

Truths Learned at Ateneo

In his Inquirer's Newsstand column, John Nery lists what he learned from the Ateneo:

1. We have the power of self- definition.
2. Our freedom must not be taken for granted.
3. The invader/oppressor described in our National Anthem can (be) a fellow Filipino.
4. We have the power to liberate ourselves.

Mediation is one way to do so.

Wink for Help

That's what Camilla Parker- Boyles seemed to have addressed to her security detail while having afternoon tea with the Trumps.

For the rest of people in conflict, there is mediation.

Someone to Trust

Our Daily Bread reflects on people who have been betrayed and lost all trust in humanity. There is, of course God Who does not let us down.

In a way, mediators are His instruments before disputants.

Faith and Sight

Fr. Jerry Orbos compares them thus: "Faith is more powerful than sight because our sight can describe our situation, but faith can move and direct us to our destination."

It's like focusing more on what can be done rather than what has transfired before mediation.

Prevention

Saint Peter listed the qualities that could get us away from needing mediation- "add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love."

Explains the need for mediation.