Sunday Inspiration: Effective Communication

Effective Communication

"I open my heart and mind to be aware that when I am listening to myself, I cannot hear other people."

We are taught that communication is a two-way process.  Consequently, we are not aware that there are three essential elements. There is talking, there is listening and there is hearing. We talk a great deal because we have much to say. In fact, we talk so much we often miss the point someone else is trying to make. Our talk about our past experience is loaded with perceptions and judgments. When we are listening, what we hear gets filtered through the same. We do talk, and we can listen. What challenges most of us is learning how to hear.

If you really want to hear someone when they trust you enough to talk to you, don't listen to the words, hear how the words are spoken. All too often, we cannot hear the words because we come to the conversation with our own ideas about who people are. At the same time, we are determined not to let them see who we are. In order for effective and valued communication to occur, you must believe that you are safe, and you must offer that same safety to the other person.  If you want to communicate with another person, you must hear their fear and not dismiss it. You must hear a person's pain and not overlook it. It is important to hear a person's guilt and not buy into it. You must be ready to hear a person's anger and not fuel it. Most people need to know that they have been heard. Listen to their body. Listen to the volume. Listen to the tempo. If you really want to hear someone, open your heart and listen to their soul.

In the past, you may not have been able to hear what people are saying to you. However, make an effort to close your eyes when you are in a conversation. Hear every word that is spoken through the center of your heart.

Thought for today: 

We know that God washes away our sins. This same God also washes away our tears.

Sunday Inspiration: To Know Where You’re Going, Evaluate Where You Are by RIck Warren

“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” Romans 12:3 (NIV) The first and greatest barrier to change in any area of your life is pride. The fact is, nobody has it all together. I don’t have it all together. You don’t have it all together. The Pope doesn’t have it all together. The Bible says there’s nothing perfect on Earth except God’s Word. Everything on this planet is broken because of sin But we walk around trying to impress people and pretend like we’ve got it all together. The problem is, if you want to have lasting change in your life, you first have to humbly assess your current state and admit that you don’t have it all together. You have to admit you have a problem with your finances, with your health, or whatever area you struggle with in your life. Romans 12:3 says, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you” (NIV). Are you willing to ask the people closest to you, “Where do I need to change?” Do you have the courage to ask other people to be honest about you and with you? Why is this so important? Because you can only manage what you measure. If you don’t know the measure of your faith, you can’t grow in your faith. If you don’t know the measure of your health, you can’t develop and grow in health. If you don’t know the measure of where you are financially, you can’t set goals financially. If you don’t know the measure of where you are spiritually or vocationally or relationally, then you can’t grow in those areas. You can only manage what you measure. It’s also important to record your progress in any goal in a journal or a record or whatever you want to do. If you’re going to set some health goals, financial goals, or any other kind of goal, record your progress throughout the year so you can measure your growth and your progress. Evaluate where you are so that you can know where you should go. Talk It Over Who are the people in your life with whom you can share openly and honestly? What areas of your life do you need to evaluate so that you can set realistic goals for change? What are some ways you can keep track of your growth and progress?

Sunday Morning: Thankfulness (continued)

Sunday morning I went to church and of course I was late. I am not very sure why since I was up and slept good the previous night. Whatever the reason, I was late (dressed very cute) which made me have to park in the parking lot up the street from the church. Thankfully it wasn't presently raining and not freezing so the walk was going to be pleasant. So, as I walked I noticed an older lady well seasoned woman walking behind me so I slowed my pace, so we would be walking together and struck up a conversation. We exchanged pleasantries of the weather not being as cold even though it had been raining and she complimented my boots, which were rather fantastic if I do say so myself but as we know it’s my thing, and that she was glad that she had some flats in the car so she could walk up to the church instead having to walk in her heels. We laughed. Anyways, she and I walked and conversed all the way to the church about how wonderful the combined service is and how it is nice to see the church completely full. As we got into the elevator I told her that this was one of my last Sundays and she inquired as to why I was leaving the church. So I briefly explained to her that I had been out of work for 6 months and that I was moving back to Los Angeles with my support system (my family) and get some help. She asked about me having family locally here in Atlanta. I responded with no but that I did move here with a friend and we had met some wonderful people at the church. She shared a story about her nephew who had recently bought a house and a newer car but had been laid off and she was concerned about him. Once we made it to the sanctuary, I told her to have a wonderful day and we split directions of the church. Once I made it to my seat (not in my favorite spot or pew and very far in the way back of the sanctuary) I recognized how much I was going to miss this church family. There were pleasant and concerned faces there, friendly gestures and warm spirits. This is the kind of church that just feels good and I have grown so much there. I began to tear a bit (because it is what I do, I cry). Tears of joy and thankfulness. I got it together as offering approached (we walk around) and as I made my way around and got settled I felt a tap on my shoulder, pulling my arm up and reaching for my hand. The lady that I walked to church with slid some money in my hand and closed it quickly saying that she wanted me to have this and that I made her morning. I humbling smiled and of course I teared up while expressing my gratitude.

I put the money in my purse and thanked God for her spirit and this church body. I do not even know the woman's name and I do not believe that I told her mine. I didn't feel as if I had done anything special or even said anything profound or worth any acknowledgment. All I did was be polite and carry on a possible 15 minute conversation with this nice woman on our way to church. How wonderful was it that it made her day and I was just trying to be polite and considerate.

No Gimmicks.

That moment was a blessing for me in a few different plateaus.  The main one being that God works in special ways to provide confirmations or just to let me know that He is there moving even when it seems that He has blinked. AWESOME! It was also confirmation of my character and the woman I striving to be. I want to be a respected woman by all but I especially appreciate a well-seasoned woman appreciating the woman that I am now. One of the others is that I had paid some bills and $20 was that is exactly what I needed.

Thankfulness.
I am thankful for the possibilities. The possibilities that God has in store for me as make changes in my life and allow Him to do all that He is doing in my life especially the little things. My spirit is full and my cup runneth over. I hope that all that read this will appreciate the little things in life and move past all of the worries of the past (yes, easier said than done). There are so many things to be thankful for and while it is not always possible to see the good in bad-know that there is always something in the works.

Peace, Blessings and Miracles,

Freckles