Isn’t technology amazing! In just a few decades we have graduated from “snail-mail” and a twenty-five foot corded phone that would now be considered more dangerous than an asbestos mattress, to sharing our ideas and lives with people from Iceland to Egypt in a fraction of a second.
Yes. Gas is up. CNN talks about it so much that even my neighbor's cat is aware that gas is going up. ("Who would have thunk it?") But consider this:
· It would cost me $1157.00 in stamps to mail this “newsletter” to each person on my Facebook fan page.
· Visualize it is 1975 (It’s okay to play some disco in the background to set the mood). What if I called and read this newsletter to each of you in 1975. Can you imagine the “long-distance” charges! (As well as the time it would take)
So what did sending this newsletter out to each of you cost me? Basically nothing and about sixty seconds. And that’s what part four of The Heart of Success is about: Communication.
BTW: What did the "gas" statement above and the title of the blog have to do with this message. Nothing really, just wanted to share that "gas is going up" . (Talking about it 24/7 seems to get people's attention and gets ratings for CNN so I thought I would give it a try.)
How many believe the quality of communication has improved in the last twenty-five years? Do you think the quality of communication in business has increased or decreased? Do you think the quality of communication has increased or decreased in your family or your neighborhood compared to before that “internet thing” existed? Do you even know everyone living on your street?
Therefore, in memory of days-gone-by - when time to “sit and chat” didn’t involve technology - when a family of four found time to talk civil to one another while sharing one bathroom and dinner wasn’t served from a box or bag, but in pots and pans – when the number of “friends” you had could be counted on one hand instead of having enough “friends” to fill a gymnasium.
In memory of the “good ole days”, let me present some traditional pointers concerning the art of communication.
Oh, by the way, per CNN, gas is going up...
LISTEN WITH YOUR EYES
1) Look at the person talking to you. Watch their behaviors and their expressions. How often do you “listen” to someone talking to you and never look at them? How often have you asked someone if they’re okay and after the person answers “yes”, their expression and the tears you “see” painted on their face communicates that everything is not okay.
Do you better see the importance of looking at a person when communicating? Your mind (and ears) can sometimes alter your perception of a message that your eyes will help clarify. Plus, looking at someone who is speaking to you is also respectful.
It is important to realize that a healthy "social network" requires more than a mouse and keyboard. (especially with nice weather around the corner). FYI: You can actually go to the park and leave your smart phone in the car. And it's not required that you update Facebook that you've "Just arrived at the park! Fun!" before entering the park.
2) COMMUNICATION NEEDS TO BE PRACTICED EVERYDAY. Some people approach communication like a world-class marathon runner that one day decides to practice only once a month and then wonders why he is not winning any races! Practice communication to become better at it. The people we consider great communicators were not born that way. They practiced! (and still practice…)
3) YOUR PERCEPTIONS WILL NEVER BE 100% ACCURATE. Have you ever been guilty of using statements like the ones listed below? (I know I have)
“He has always been that way.”
“She will always let you down.”
“I don’t know what’s going on but I think….”
I’ve learned that when I use statements like the ones listed above, I’m usually proven wrong 99% of the time. Contrary to popular belief, perception is not reality. The more facts you have the more accurate your perception is compared to reality. Nothing really magical about it.
Let me take a short break here to let you know that, per CNN, "gas is going up".
WANT TO IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS? FOLLOW THESE RULES CONCERNING COMMUNICATION
* If you don’t know or do not have an interest in helping, keep your mouth shut. It’s called gossip no matter how you try to spin it or how technology changes.
* Everyone communicates in different ways and at different times. Unless someone is in danger of harming themselves or others, give the person time to communicate in ways/time-frames that are comfortable to them.
* I don’t believe God places challenges/hardships on other families, neighbors, church members, or anyone else for our entertainment. (Does this viewpoint make you look at “reality TV" different?) I know at times we all laugh at our mistakes and when others make mistakes. Sometimes I think that’s important - mainly because it keeps things in perspective. (i.e. not turning a molehill into a mountain) But remember, developing good habits of communicating encouragement and support will really matter to the people, in your social circle, when challenges show up in their life.
KEY POINT TO TAKE AWAY
When we learn to communicate better, our way of thinking is affected. We begin to see things through “the other person’s eyes” instead of our own. But remember this: God never creates people based on your perceptions of the world; He creates every human being based on His perception of the world. And accepting people as they are is in a sense, accepting God as He is.
You're welcome to share your thoughts, comments, and ideas. We're a community of thinkers, so feel free to share your mind.
Also, don't be surprised when you stop by the gas pumps in the next few days. Per a message found in a fortune cookie I opened today (and according to CNN), gas is going up..."
