The word conflict can mean so many things, war, discord, a lack of harmony. One of the definitions for the word conflict is “ A state of disharmony between incompatible or antithetical persons, ideas, or interests; a clash’. In that one sentence our daily struggles can be defined, it’s just that easy. We struggle daily through different levels and causes of conflict yet there is rarely an easy solution.
We’re heading back towards home after spending a week amongst people, family actually, who seem to thrive on the creation of conflict. Each day, each interaction had a layer of conflict to it that leaves one scratching their head. There were days that began as fun yet somehow fun just wasn’t enough. A golf game that was supposed to be for fun ended in a long ride home in silence after someone asked what, if any, rules were we playing within. Seriously, it was 4 people with a bunch of clubs, 3 of us with precious little skill, beautiful weather, no time limits and still conflict was created.
That was only one example of the need for conflict that was created daily. I won’t even bother to blog about the constant drama created for reasons that escape me.
We began going up to Camp Critter several years ago and slowly the fun has been replaced by the need to cause conflict and tension. I own my part in the conflict when one of my dogs charges at the fence where the other dogs are being kept but I have to draw the line at being the sole cause in that area of conflict. The conflict itself is as easily solved as it is created but conflict resolution only works if both parties are willing to work towards a resolution and embrace a remedy. An entire cottage industry cropped up about 10 years ago so that people could be taught how to resolve conflict or if they could not, they could go to a professional who would help.
Having tried several times to work towards a resolution of the ongoing conflict with the in-law’s dogs left to bark from 5 a.m. until they are taken in at night I have to admit defeat. I have brought numerous solutions to the table each one being shot down, deemed as unworkable or shrugged off as “it’s their home they don’t have to change”. What that tells me is that their owner is unwilling to make even the smallest of changes and truly cares not about the effect the bark alarm has on others. And yes it is their home but having spent $300 in gas alone to get out there one would think that it might have been worth some form of concession regarding the location of the dogs in relation to our trailer.
Sadly there is so much more going on at Camp Critter that is either driven by the need for conflict or drama that this may have been my last trip there. I honestly regret that this season of fun with family is coming to an end but sometimes doing the right thing is entirely different from things being done right.
Steve and I have apparently annoyed our Captors with FB postings that contained more humour than anger of being woken up at crow piss by the Charm alarm and well, the shit has hit the fan in a big way. We have devised a new plan for the coming years that involves a more tangible solution to the ongoing conflict and drama. Starting next year we’ll stay for a day maybe two, if at all, then move on to a camp ground near Camp Critter. The constant reminders that we receive free power, free water and free internet has made us realize that sleeping past 5 a.m. is worth the $32.50 a night that a camp ground will charge.
I can’t believe that I’ll arrive back home as tired if not slightly more than I was when I left. It will good to get back to waking up at crow piss for a reason.
