By Eileen Hyatt When I facilitate an RJ circle for elementary, middle, or high school students, I sometimes greet them by saying, “You are about to do something many adults do not have the courage to do, Talk face-to-face about their conflict.” I sometimes wonder if mediators and facilitators of restorative justice circles have ever themselves chosen the experience. I am suggesting they take off their facilitation hat and be participants in a process around their own conflict as a way of gaining insight into the minds and hearts of those they facilitate. It’s not as if we don’t have the opportunity, as we would all have to be spending our lives in bed if we think we have no conflicts. And when our conflicts have consequences, loss of sleep, lost relationships and jobs, or just plain tension and distraction, we should ask ourselves why we do not engage in what we encourage others to do? I have brought my conflicts to a mediator more than once and would like to share some general thoughts about what it feels like. First, it is humbling. No wonder people are reluctant to come to the table or the circle! We pride ourselves on handling our
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