Cold, Hard Communication

How often do you communicate? Really communicate? Probably not as often as you’d like to think. How often do you set out to communicate the most (seemingly) simple information only to find that you didn’t say anything you meant to?

Don’t feel bad. Everyone else has experienced the same problem, probably more often than not. We set the stage for these grand conversations and interchanges in our minds, preparing for a battle of words – but then we show up to the fight without a weapon in sight.

As a modern culture we seem to shy away from any and all confrontations. We don’t want the responsibility of disillusioning someone else’s perceptions of reality. Instead we snark quietly behind closed doors as our statements fall on ineffective ears.

Use your words with purpose. If you don’t say what needs to be said, who will? And, if someone is speaking for you – are you certain that they’re using your words? Probably not.

No one can, or will, say what you need to say.

Silence is heavy, and saturated with unmet desires.

The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. 
~George Bernard Shaw

The Summer of My Discontent

Ever notice that as the mercury rises, so does that innate sense of restlessness? There's just something about the heat that makes one want to shed their current life and go live somewhere else, as someone else - preferably on a beach with no responsibilities.... 

This year though, that discontent is different for me - more visceral than dreams of the ocean. Maybe it was Spring's near-death experience, maybe it's that I'm nearing 30 - but this year, I find myself just wanting more of my own life. I want to live larger. (I know, you that wasn't possible but I assure you it is.) I need to be more me, more of the time. 

I find myself often shrinking so that others are more comfortable with their lives. I just don't see the benefit in that anymore. I'm tired of tapping down my emotions instead of tapping into them. I'm tired of keeping my thoughts to myself. I'm tired of pretending I don't want what I want. 

Change is a good thing, right? It breeds progress....

Restlessness is discontent and discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly satisfied man and I will show you a failure.

--Thomas Edison