Mediation tip: Perception IS reality

How someone feels, becomes strongly ingrained in their perception of reality. Trying to shake away that perception is rarely easy or simple. This applies to how parties feel about the events that transpired, because they "lived" them, and they have been harboring that perception for months, sometimes years. This also applies during mediation in how statements are conveyed. It applies to how they were trained through childhood and adulthood to feel toward money. All of these factors and events affect a person's ability and readiness to settle a conflict or dispute. It is important to recognize each person's perspective and perceptions, before trying to change them. While "time waits for no one", there still can be "no settlement before its time".