Communication and Listening Tips for improving loving relationships ...
God calls this to us every moment of our lives for Him and others: prayer ... "TELL ME MORE...."
Pic: Public Domain
Social Work 101 Addendum to "Meet the client where they r at!" It was so cool to hear on 92.7 KLOVE dis morn on da way to work a teaser the hosts gave: "Guess what are 3 words that everyone loves to hear???" Of course, most folks like me thought of "I love you," and some certainly noted, "I forgive you," another important term that has kept our marriage intact. But guess what it was??? - after a commercial .... "Tell me more..." And I used it with a Veteran today and my wife, and, WOW, did it open da floodgates!!! In dis age of too many distractions like what I am doing right now, social media, this 3 word phrase, if sincerely said, and while not holding a "hand held device," really conveys caring and love ... give it a try ... u will be surprised ....!
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My partner has been complaining that I don't listen to her stories. They tend to involve some drama in the lives of her customers at her shop. She has become like a bartender or barber, listening to the stories that people want to get off their chest. I guess the reason I tend to fade out, gloss over or ignore what she is saying is that I find other people's gossip quite boring.
And finally, sometimes when I encounter people and we're having a discussion, it begins to be very one-sided. They get on a topic and talk on and on without allowing me to have any response to what they are saying. It may be because they are trapped in short burst, distracted communication most of the time and when they find a patsy like me they want to unload. But, I still believe it's very impolite to talk on and on without allowing the other person to have any conversation about what you are saying.
Ron