THE REGENERATING TURTLE©

The conflict mode affects our thinking, feeling, perceiving, and acting, as illustrated by the conflict turtle:

Welcome to the home island of the Regenerating Turtle©—our calming anchor in the raging sea of conflict! Amidst the tumultuous waves, it steadfastly clings to its peaceful shell, armed with a generous dose of patience and a sprinkle of time.

FEELING
When conflict rears its claws, the Regenerating Turtle withdraws—silent, closed off, and turned inward. A wordless masterpiece of conflict management! Its outward behavior reflects the emotional chaos occurring within its shell: worry, fear, agitation, confusion. Often, it carries a fundamental sorrow over the fact that conflicts arise between people at all.

PERCEIVING
The creature in conflict struggles not just with words, but with fears and stomach knots. It seeks a secluded beach to regulate and calm its nervous system—a true inner storm yearning for a tranquil oasis.

THINKING
In challenging conflict situations, the turtle tends to fill its thoughts with worries and fears. It might wonder: "This is terrible; can we discuss this another time? I don’t want to be in this dangerous situation." These thoughts reflect its inner turmoil and a deep need for safety and stability.

SHADOWS
The turtle’s shadow aspects are like letters in the wind—chaotic and misinterpreted. It might be perceived as passive or distant, yet in reality, it seeks balance and understanding. The challenge resembles reading in a storm; everything is chaotic, but there is profound wisdom at the center of the turmoil.

ACTING
The turtle’s typical response is to withdraw, creating space and distance. This retreat serves not only to protect itself but also to cultivate an atmosphere of calm and reflection. While others are caught in the storm of conflict, the turtle finds strength in its withdrawal, allowing time to sort its thoughts and calm its emotions. This apparent retreat is a strategic move, enabling it to return later with renewed clarity and composure to engage constructively in the conflict.

SOMATIC EXERCISE FOR REGULATION
But how does the turtle transform its shadows into gold? This is where somatic exercises come into play. The turtle teaches us to regulate our nervous system independently and return stronger. A cozy environment, a warm drink, dim lighting, and the soothing melody of Marconi Union’s "Weightless" help the turtle emerge from its shell and connect.

POTENTIAL
The turtle reveals its potential through retreat. This withdrawal not only creates space for new ideas and solutions to blossom within its own thoughts but also offers others the opportunity to pause and reconsider their perspectives. In the silence of withdrawal, creativity can flourish, leading to new ways of resolving the conflict. As the turtle maintains its wisdom and calm, it allows others to reflect and gain fresh insights, ultimately contributing to a constructive resolution.

SELF-REFLECTION
A self-reflection question for your next conflict situation: How can I harness my turtle wisdom to stay on course amidst the storm of disagreements?

TASK
In conflict, the turtle faces the challenge of unleashing its creativity. If it can emerge from its retreat and dive back into activity, it can leverage its regenerative ability to inject a vital dose of creativity into conflict resolution. Its task is to step out of the quiet withdrawal and actively engage in seeking solutions. By unleashing its creativity, the turtle can explore new paths to navigate the conflict and help find a peaceful, constructive resolution for everyone involved.

Are you ready to find the courage to emerge from your shell in times of conflict? Reach out to me, and together we’ll build your conflict shield—without a shell, but with a generous helping of turtle wisdom!

© Jana Schildt 2018 🐅 All rights reserved. Any use, reproduction, or distribution of this material without written permission from Jana Schildt is prohibited. All violations will be legally pursued.