Tuesday 10 August 2010

Are we really talking?

We live in times where we're so technology-savvy but communication-sloppy. There's so much information overload, every one's talking over everyone. Yet conversations are empty and friendships are shallow. If everyone is busy uttering words, who is listening? Anyone?

Ever been in a conversation where you feel, you're just saying random jokes to fill up the time?
Or you don't really want to talk to the person on the phone at that point so unintentionally your mind switches off and then returns 3 minutes just before the conversation ends.

Ever felt like you've been talking to someone but you still don't know them or understand them. Sometimes you don't even know how to talk to them or what to talk to them about. So you engage them in 'small talk'... even the weather becomes a major topic of discussion. LOL!

Sometimes, people just want a listening ear! Some people are carrying so many secrets and the pressure that's building up within them will cause them to burst any minute, so they just want to unload some of that burden to anyone who is willing to listen.

I think the society in which we live in has driven us into overdrive. We are so busy, we cannot spare 5 mins to hear someone out. It's actually gotten that bad.

What is good communication? It's honest, positively intended, two-way sharing. It isn't 'dumping' or giving someone a piece of your mind! It's involves listening as well as talking.


"The first law of verbal ecology is: garbage is not biodegradable! It recycles, festering with time".


What should we communicate? The truth.

"But truth can be given like the blow of a sledgehammer or like a soothing hand of friendship. It should be communicated after advance thought for its impact."


How should we communicate? How we say things is just as important as what we say. speak with consideration for the hearer's feelings. 'A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger' (Proverbs 15:1). The hearer's response is conditioned by your words.


Check your timing; it's vital! '...Say the right thing at the right time'


We have 2 ears and just one mouth. We should be listening twice as much as we speak. It's often difficult for people to tell you whats on their heart so you gotta be listening intently! In terms of friendships....good communication may just be the key to understanding your friend.

Every person is different, guys and girls especially. There can be a lot of misunderstandings over little things. It can be sorted out if we listen and then of course take the appropriate course of action.

So next time you find yourself in a conversation, ask yourself 'Am I really talking?'. Speak the truth, Speak positively...ignore the garbage. See what you can learn about the person you're talking to that will help you understand them.
Have a great week! :-)

© The poets voice~~~ August 2010, All rights reserved.

2 lyrically composed words:

Myne said...

Very true, we hardly talk these days. Somebody was even saying that phone calls may die out cos of texting, etc...

Misstarii said...

I was nodding my head through this whole post.
It reminded me of weeks ago I sat down with a person I had just met and as we just talked about life, I asked them how they were doing and he took awhile before he answered me, and when he did he said.
"Nobody has genuinely asked me that question in five years"
Sad