There is a saying that you can’t connect the dots until you collect the dots. Mediation, in part, is about collecting dots. Two people meet to hear one another’s story, (one dot), explain their version of the same story, (another dot), problem solve possible solutions, (more dots), etc. Once these dots are on the table, connections can be made. Some connections are minuscule, a small detail cleared up. Some are considerable, a softening of a position, perhaps. Some are huge, veritable paradigm shifts, that allow warring factions to make peace. Most dot connecting happens over time. Mediation gets the dots rolling.
