"We are stronger when we listen and smarter when we share."
Rania Al-Abdullah, Queen of Jordan
I have been thinking quite a bit lately about the importance of good communication and how it can change our lives. I remember growing up without emails, cell phones and texting. I remember talking with my friends at school and racing home to talk to them again on the phone. Communication was easy and fun. It was something I looked forward to each day without knowing how much of a difference it made in my life.
Things are very different now. There are many more ways to communicate. Communication with family, friends and colleagues can be fast and easy. It can happen in a matter of minutes or seconds. Type or dictate a few words or sentences and click a button and that is all it takes. Have only a minute, then hit the emoji button. You are not sure what to say or how to respond, let AI do it for you. Communicating this way is fast and easy but do we really get to know the other person and how they think. Is this the way to make a friend for life? Do you really want to know what the other person is doing or do you just need to get to the next thing or person on your list?
We live in a very fast paced world where how much you do is often considered very important. But now at eighty and looking back for just a moment I realize it is not how much you do each day but who you touched with what you did. Real communication takes time. It takes sitting together, looking at each other, and listening. It is being curious and asking questions. It is taking turns speaking and listening. It is a conversation over coffee. It is caring about what the other person is sharing and not just waiting for your turn to talk.
We live in a world where we have become isolated and afraid to talk to each other. We surround ourselves with voices that match our own. There is no room any longer for discussion. It has become difficult to discuss important matters because we are afraid of offending someone or if we openly share our thoughts or opinions we might lose that person in our lives. But what I have found without taking the time to share, and discuss, and politely argue is that I have lost that person in my life anyway. At least in a deep and meaningful way.
So what is the answer? As I always suggest, take one small step, and see where it leads you. Invite a friend you haven't talked to in a long time over for a visit. Ask a family member to share a cup of coffee. Rather than wave at your neighbor, walk across the lawn and talk to them. First steps are not always easy but they may lead to a series of steps that can change your life. You never know unless you try. And remember look the person in the eye and ask questions. It can make a big difference in the outcome of your conversation.
When you share your gifts and talent with the world, magic happens.
Let the magic begin!
Ginny
Feel free to leave a comment here or on my Facebook page. I would love to start a conversation!
Rania Al-Abdullah, Queen of Jordan
I have been thinking quite a bit lately about the importance of good communication and how it can change our lives. I remember growing up without emails, cell phones and texting. I remember talking with my friends at school and racing home to talk to them again on the phone. Communication was easy and fun. It was something I looked forward to each day without knowing how much of a difference it made in my life.
Things are very different now. There are many more ways to communicate. Communication with family, friends and colleagues can be fast and easy. It can happen in a matter of minutes or seconds. Type or dictate a few words or sentences and click a button and that is all it takes. Have only a minute, then hit the emoji button. You are not sure what to say or how to respond, let AI do it for you. Communicating this way is fast and easy but do we really get to know the other person and how they think. Is this the way to make a friend for life? Do you really want to know what the other person is doing or do you just need to get to the next thing or person on your list?
We live in a very fast paced world where how much you do is often considered very important. But now at eighty and looking back for just a moment I realize it is not how much you do each day but who you touched with what you did. Real communication takes time. It takes sitting together, looking at each other, and listening. It is being curious and asking questions. It is taking turns speaking and listening. It is a conversation over coffee. It is caring about what the other person is sharing and not just waiting for your turn to talk.
We live in a world where we have become isolated and afraid to talk to each other. We surround ourselves with voices that match our own. There is no room any longer for discussion. It has become difficult to discuss important matters because we are afraid of offending someone or if we openly share our thoughts or opinions we might lose that person in our lives. But what I have found without taking the time to share, and discuss, and politely argue is that I have lost that person in my life anyway. At least in a deep and meaningful way.
So what is the answer? As I always suggest, take one small step, and see where it leads you. Invite a friend you haven't talked to in a long time over for a visit. Ask a family member to share a cup of coffee. Rather than wave at your neighbor, walk across the lawn and talk to them. First steps are not always easy but they may lead to a series of steps that can change your life. You never know unless you try. And remember look the person in the eye and ask questions. It can make a big difference in the outcome of your conversation.
When you share your gifts and talent with the world, magic happens.
Let the magic begin!
Ginny
Feel free to leave a comment here or on my Facebook page. I would love to start a conversation!
RSS Feed
