When Conflict Can't Be Resolved: A Reflection on Family and the Philosophy of Emergence
For as long as I can remember, my relationship with my father has been complicated. There’s a pattern that’s played out over and over: he says or does something that hurts me, I get upset, and instead of talking it through, he shuts down. He ends the conversation abruptly and cuts contact, leaving me alone with my feelings. No resolution. No closure. Just silence. This has been his way of handling conflict my entire life. And every time it happens, I feel the same frustration, sadness, and sense of loss. It’s like hitting a wall, over and over again, knowing that no matter how hard I try to explain myself or seek understanding, the outcome will always be the same. It’s exhausting. And it’s starting to feel like I can’t keep doing this to myself. The Philosophy of Emergence teaches me that meaning and truth reveal themselves naturally over time, through patience and observation. When I reflect on this pattern with my father, I see how much it’s shaped my emotional well-being. I’ve tried...