I’m writing this last post while sitting in the Emergency Room. I’m here because my 89 year old father-in-law was unresponsive, then confused this morning when they got him up at the Veteran’s Home where he lives. I’m waiting while they draw his blood, look inside of him with CT scans, X-rays and then analyze the results to figure out what’s going on.
And I guess there’s really nothing like a drama with a loved one to remind you why we’re doing all this communication stuff in the first place.
I can give you all kinds of tips and techniques on how to be a more effective communicator. But the bottom line reason we learn and do all this is so we can love each other better. Right? We want to learn how to act and speak and express ourselves in the best way so that the people in our lives feel loved.
Does that make sense to you? Who in your life do you wish knew how much you loved them? Do you communicate that love? What’s getting in the way of your truth? This morning I’m drawn to think of this…and here are the 2 main questions I’m asking myself.
1. Is my style getting in the way of my message? Yesterday I spoke about being a passive, aggressive or assertive communicator. That message was straight from my heart. You see, I am really strong. I come across as strong. I have to work hard to dial down from aggressive to assertive, and sometimes even assertive is too much. And sometimes that ‘natural style’ is getting in the way of my message.
When I’m trying to talk with Amelia or Tom about something that I’m passionate about, (almost everything) I think I get too wound up and my words, tone, body all end up sending messages that actually shut them down. Do you have that challenge? Or do you go the other way, and you shut down when you get passionate? I think both of these can be a challenge. I have to remember, it’s not all about me…it’s about communicating well. Because I LOVE THEM.
2. Do I find ways to communicate love even when I’m stressed and busy and overwhelmed? When I think of all the times I’ve thought of my telling my mother something and not texted her, or bragged about my sister and not called her, or even been angry with my dad and talked about him instead of talking with him, it makes my heart sad. I’m supposed to be teaching this stuff! Instead, I so often fail in the execution of the communication.
How about you? Would it help your relationships if you were more intentional communicating your love to those in your life? I want to take each opportunity to communicate love and not put it off until later. Because, as I’m being so forcibly reminded today, there’s no guarantee of tomorrow, and I want to rest assured I’m communicating my love the best possible way every day.
So for now, thanks for following along this month as I’ve posted every day. Whew. 31 Blog Posts in 31 days. Definitely a new record for me. I’ve learned some things along the way, so there will probably be a post about that in the future. (Not tomorrow!!) I want you to know I appreciate each of you and how you have commented and encouraged me. It’s meant more than you will ever know. So here’s our take-away. Let’s commit together to using powerful communication to create positive relationships so that we can live purposeful lives. I think we’ll all be glad we did.
This is Day 31 of 31 Days of Powerful Communication Skills for Women. You can read all of my #31Days posts here. And check out The Nester’s #Write31Days blog for other great 31 day series.
Question: Does today’s discussion ring true with you? Which post, of the past 31 days was your favorite? Why? Please leave your thoughts below.
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