Five Gifts of the Brixit

Thankfully, many people seem are searching for and focusing on the upside of Britain's decision.

I wanted to encourage the search for the silver lining and use it as means to highlight a salient lesson about language and conflict.

The vote may have been inspired by economic fatigue and fear of refugees, but the upsides could be many.

These are the five:

1. Small nations in the E.U. may now have a stronger voice.

2. Ireland might find a way to reunify.

3. Scotland may proclaim "free at last"

4. If the EU really tanks -- losing both liberty and prosperity -- Britain might have regained its strength and might be able to join the U.S. in making sure the region  thrives.

5. Problems in the economic structure in the E.U. might be worked out so others remain.

There may be more. 

You know, the League of Nations created after World War I by President Woodrow Wilson did not prevent World War II. So the symbolic coming together of the EU might not be so important.

What Brixit Means: Language & Conflict

When looking at world events from a narrative perspective, we want to pause and look at the meaning we are ascribing to events.

• Does this mean the end of the free world OR an opportunity for more of the free world to strengthen itself?
• Does this mean the end of the EU or a change for a healthy new beginning?

World leaders will now be speaking at length telling us what this change means. That's their job, let's watch how they do it. Remember, their agendas impact the meaning they ascribe may be to advance certain interests.  

Be on watch.

Also remember, as a wise professor once told me "No one who teaches you knows what will happen."

We have no idea the millions of individual changes and events this transformation may prompt. The future is not yet written. So when listening to talking heads-- including my own -- please take the time to consider (for yourself) what this might mean.

If we focus on the possible upsides, then we will more likely secure that outcome.

Anyone who has ever left a bad relationship knows the difference between focusing on the losses and focusing on the possibilities of a new beginning. No one knows the long-term effects of this. They might tell you they do, but they really are just guessing.

When asked if the French revolution was a success, Chinese revolutionary Zhou Enlai 1898-1976 is quoted to have said,

"It's too soon to tell."

As for Brixit, it is too soon to tell...And much of that answer will depend on how we respond now.


Note:
As I wrote this, a female blue jay landed by my window and screamed the whole time. I cannot tell if she whole hardheartedly agreed or disagreed with my points. She might be mad at me or her husband, it's hard to tell. She seems to be yelling at us both. I will delay ascribing meaning to her tirade.