Communication plays a vital role in our society, and I have just recently realized how important it really is to be able to function in life. Without conversations how would we get anything done that required more than what we ourselves can do? The idea of good communication didn’t really show its importance to me until a couple years ago when I got a divorce and then last year when my ex-husband decided to tell me what a lousy wife I was. Even though this hurt my ego quite a bit (don’t worry ladies, he got an ear full too. It takes two to tango!), I decided that it wasn’t worth it to get all huffy puffy about it and not learn from his stated agreements. I didn’t agree with some of them, of course, but he made some good points on areas I needed to work on, and without him talking to me about those issues I would still have the same mentality. I have a friend, my best friend, that tells me, no matter what, his opinion and without that, I cannot improve my thinking and challenges me to think “outside the box.” This friend also teaches me and helps me understand things, for example, history, current events, why some men act like idiots. I was told numerous times by my ex-husband that communication was the key to a relationship but until I experienced the necessity of it, it was something I did with no purpose at all. I really enjoyed Wheatley’s statements, “Sometimes we hesitate to listen for what’s different because we don’t want to change. We’re comfortable with our lives, and if we listened to anyone who raised questions, we might feel compelled to engage in new activities and ways of thinking.” This is so true; if we are ignorant to change then we cannot learn from anyone. Conversations are how we grow individually and closer together. Wheatley’s essay describes how I see communication these days; I wish I had read this essay earlier in my life. Other people are our life teachers, encouragers and challenge us to do better as a person. Wheatley mentions a conversation that took place with a Canadian woman and from that, lives were saved. The power of conversation is more powerful than people realize, I think. When I have a topic paper due for my classes, I like to get other peoples opinion on it even though they may have a different idea on it. This helps me think of new ideas and more information that I wouldn’t have had if I didn’t talk about it. No matter what you talk about, whether it be politics or just about your day, the person you are talking to will gain something personally. So my advice to you all who read my blog is to keep talking and teach each other something new! Oh, and don’t forget to listen with an open heart and mind because change is only good when you can accept it.
Communications is very powerful and the key to any good relationship. Yes, men can be idiots but there are just as many that are women. I am currently going through a divorce and it was the same situation. We often do hesitate to listen to those around use and sometimes it is even those that are the closest to us. Communication between my wife and myself broke down or was lacking all along and we failed to discuss the deep feeling we truly had and just assumed the other would understand.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately we found this out to late after to much damage had be done to our relationship. Language can help to develop and bring about our own soul and when we stop listening,we are just letting ourselves fail. When we no longer listen, we no longer learn and place ourselves in such a status that we act like we no longer need input from others.
Without conservations, many events and actions that have shaped us as human would never have occurred. The United States might still allow slavery if it was not for communications. The U.S.S.R could still be intact for those of you that are old enough to remember and the cold war still a fear on or lives daily.
Through communication we are able to share and express those thought close to our hearts and information that others may not have which gives them the ability to make better decisions through critical thinking. To limit our listening or use of language to talk with others is a sda thing and we should try our hardest to avoid doing it as language is an almighty and powerful thing.
I agree with what Chirsch said about both genders being dumb because its so true. We might say "Damn men," or "Stupid women" but the honest truth is that pigheadedness has no gender. I don't know much about romantic relationships but I do know that communication is key. I have seen my brother's marriage fail because of no communication. It is a sad thing to see. The true sorrow is that sometimes starting a meaningful conversation can be easy if you let your fear of what might be said just fade. I know Wheatley said it takes courage and she is correct about that part. But I feel that once a conversation is started it just rolls on like a kid rolling down a hill. It becomes a little easier every time you do it.
ReplyDeleteI can't stress it enough. I went to Six Flags with my friends a while back and I decided that day was going to be the day I got on the Dive Devil. I got 2 more volunteers to go with me and we paid $15 each. As I was getting strapped in, I felt such anticipation; I was nervous about the height but excited that I was doing it. We finally got hooked up to the rope and I had the honor of pulling the cord. As soon as we got way up, we stopped and the announcer said to pull the cord. I reached back and did. Afterward it was like I was flying. The point of this story is that sometimes you don't have to think to get something started. You just have to pull the cord and let yourself fly.