A strange and wonderful thing happened on the Western Front in December 1914. Four months into the most brutal conflict the world had yet known, the unexpected happened:
Peace broke out.
The Allies and the Germans had already fought to a stalemate in western Europe, digging into defensive trenches and peppering each other with incessant direct and indirect fire. However, on Christmas Eve, the continuous rifle and artillery fire abruptly stopped.
In the cold, dark silence, soldiers from both sides began singing carols. The spontaneous ceasefire lasted all night. In the morning, Christmas greetings were yelled across the lines and a few brave souls emerged from their trenches. Those few quickly turned into scores, hundreds, and thousands.
Utterly unplanned and organic, it’s estimated that two-thirds of the front—100,000 soldiers from both sides—participated in what would become known as The Christmas Truce. They met their enemies in No Man’s Land to celebrate Christmas Day. They shared food and drink, exchanged gifts, even played games.
On some parts of the front, the truce lasted only a day, in others it continued through New Year’s Day. Regardless of its duration, veterans remember it as a brief yet bright reminder of their humanity in the midst of the inhumanity of war.
I wonder what it must have been like for those first soldiers climbing out of their trenches. Carols had been sung. In some cases, signs had been raised. Still, it took enormous courage to be the first one out of the trench, trusting you wouldn’t be shot.
Trust is always risky. And it requires someone willing to take the first step—to ante up first. Those World War I soldiers mitigated risk by communicating shared values and demonstrating benevolence. And so can you.
When you find yourself in conflict with someone who is entrenched in their point of view—and you realize you’re entrenched in yours—Here are some helpful questions to ask yourself:
- What do we have in common?
- What is at stake for each of us?
- How could I make the first move?
You may be surprised when trust grows where you least expect it!
For Reflection: What do you have in common with those you’re cultivating trust with?
Update: 23% First Draft Complete
Still at 23%. I’m taking advantage of the holidays to research literary agents, hone my proposal, and plan my queries.
