Communication (the official Jan blog post)

It’s Jan 31^st and while I’ve had the ideas in my head and even scratched out on paper, I’ve procrastinated and now have about 2 hours to get this in before midnight. 

What to title this one?  Hmmmmm.  Part 1 will be theory on the source of our communication and Part 2 will be Ben on the operating table himself, yeah I may even get vulnerable in the hopes that my openness is helpful to someone out there. 

Disclaimer:  Some of these ideas come from a message from Jimmy Evans “Skills for Positive Communication”

Part 1 – THE SOURCE OF OUR COMMUNICATION

There is so much that we communicate and while communication is mostly body language, I’m going to focus on our spoken words but you can easily apply this to unspoken communication as well. 

Words.  What’s the big deal anyway?  They are easy to make, we don’t even have to think (and some don’t) before making them and sending them.  They don’t cost us much to make/send.  Interesting how easy we can create and send words, yet how powerful and lasting they can be.  Words are powerful and long lasting. 

Words are powerful and long lasting.  I’m sure we can all remember a word of encouragement even from years ago that helped us press on and achieve things we didn’t think we could.  From a parent, a teacher, a coach or even a peer.  I’m sure we also remember a word that tore us down, made us feel insecure.  Often happens on school playgrounds, but even into adult hood sarcasm and a little harmless fun poking.  Is it really harmless?  Words have the power to create.  Words have the power to destroy. 

Where do our words come from?  More specifically, where do YOUR words come from?  They are easy to make.  Sometimes if we’re not thinking, they just flow out of our mouths.  From where are these words flowing?  These words come from our heart (feel free to pause for reflection).  Yes, the state of our heart and what we think/feel about ourselves and others is what comes out in our words. 

Q1:  What words naturally flow out of your mouth?

Q2:  Are these reflective of what’s in your heart, right or wrong?

Q3:  As you look into your heart, what’s currently naturally there, do you like it or not?

Part 2 – AN EXAMPLE

TO BE CONTINUED…  It’s now 30 minutes to my self-imposed deadline and while I did get into Part 2, it’s not ready to share.  Sorry.