The personal conflict..

Sometimes it surprises me no end to see huge principles being super relevant in smaller situations, may be that’s why they are called ‘principles’

Take for example this line from Sun Tzu-

“Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected”

This is as true in battles as in situations in personal life. I have seen it getting repeated with many, but not everyone tackles in it the same way. This situation arises when one is in some sort of conflict with someone , may be at work place or in social circles or some similar setup. The moment the person gets in conflict with one, very soon there will others jumping in to cash in their own ‘backlog’ grudges. When people see someone already in conflict with someone else, they think the person is weak and launch their own attack.

It does take the person in center of all this by surprise, especially if the person is new to conflicts. The most obvious and natural reaction is to fight with every one, and it makes one's position weaker and more susceptible. I feel that’s wrong strategy.

Sun Tzu again opines on this situation

“For should the enemy strengthen his van, he will weaken his rear; should he strengthen his rear, he will weaken his van; should he strengthen his left, he will weaken his right; should he strengthen his right, he will weaken his left. If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.”

When one starts to fight with whoever takes a attacking stance, the person loses focus on the biggest situation and dilutes the firepower. Moreover, the person might dissociate with everyone, stand totally alienated and would get reverse popular perception. It is not so easy to turn a blind eye to those lesser enemies who don’t have wherewithal to go it alone, but one needs to.

I think we all can identify this in any of our personal situation. Very recently I had seen the case of one Indian politician who created a huge mess and caused himself ir-repairable damage. Only if he had focused on the real fight.