So, what is the best way to communicate?
I think of my grandsons and how they communicate - Joshua (5) and Derek (22 months) and even the babies: Jax (10 months old) and Charlie (9 months old); all of them look so intently at the person interacting with them. They watch, they wait, they listen closely. Then they respond - Just look at Joshua and Charlie! They can't keep their eyes off of each other - Total Joy! Total Togetherness!
Sounds so very simple -- and then I look at married folks (including myself) and I observe -
How do they/I communicate? Do I keep my eyes on my husband, Paul when he is talking to me? Or, do I pull out my phone - (which by the way totally closes off all communication!)
Or am I distracted about many things (like what I want to say next to "convince" him that my idea or solution is better than his!?)
"The Twelve Pillars" by Jim Rohn and Chris Widener ( http://chriswidener.com/products/12-pillars-paperback/ ) got me to thinking about this communication thing, especially applying it to communication in marriage.
My thoughts are in the parenthesis following their quotes. I hope it helps you see my thinking --
Listen (really listen) to this wisdom from Jim and Chris ---
"...the most important thing about communication is listening. ... Sure we have listening-skills seminars"...
(like how to have the right body language to communicate your point...etc.)
..."But it isn't the skill that is the most important. "
(It's NOT??? -- we have so many seminars on that listening skill thing!! Have I been "listening" to poor advice or incomplete advice??? - again!!!)
"It is the 'character' behind the skill. First and foremost, you have to care enough and value the other person enough to want to listen....."
Now to my final thoughts on this entry ---
So precious adult-children of mine and beloved readers, ponder the above info---
And think about this --
Do you care enough and value the person enough to want to listen -- really listen???
Think of the joy and togetherness in Josh and Charlie's pic above ---
I want that joy, always, when communicating with my "husbud"---my Paul ---
I will continue this extremely important "communication theme" in the next few entries -
And until then --
As always - Onward and Upward fellow sojourners!
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