Better communication starts with you
Have you heard the expression “if you don’t use it you lose it.” I have had that thought on many occasions especially when I haven’t been doing one of my practices. It can mean many different things depending on who you are. It can show up in your life in various situations.
For example: Exercising—you know you need to do it but haven’t done it for quite some time. Your force yourself to do it, but it’s not fun.
It could be a spiritual practice. You’re resistant because you haven’t done it in a while and you can’t seem to fit it into your schedule. You’ve also forgot how good you feel afterwards.
In my case it could be writing. After I finished writing Dancing on the River, I lost my edge. I wasn’t motivated. Eventually I felt something was missing. I knew what I had to do. I sat down and began writing because that was part of me. It took a while to get back in the groove. At first it was awkward and difficult, but gradually it began to feel better.
Relationships can be that way. Let’s take a brief look at them. How satisfied are you with the quality of your relationships? What can you do to make them better? When’s the last time you made a new friend? How willing are you to reach out and begin a new conversation?
No matter who you are, you always have room for a new conversation which is an opportunity to learn something new about yourself. Real communication is an art form that is alway expanding and always full of new possibilities.
I have a challenge for you. Think about a person in your life with whom you would like to have better communication. What would have to shift? What would you have to do to make it happen? What’s in the way of your doing what you have to do?
And yes it usually starts with you. You have to make the first step. Be willing to put yourself out there. Perhaps make that phone call you have been putting off. Or send an email you have been delaying.
JOURNEY ON
MARK
Mark Susnow, is an executive and life coach, who inspires others to believe in themselves. A former trial attorney for 30 years, he integrates what it takes to be successful in the world with the inner wisdom unfolded to him through years of yoga and meditation. Mark’s new book, Dancing on the River…Navigating Life’s Changes will be released May 22, 2010.