We Can Do Better

A title that is short, sweet, and straight to the point. Now ovbiously we can be better, everyday, that we are living on this earth, and experiencing the day to day-ness, but what I want to call out specifically is in regards to how we communicate with one another. 

We must do better. There are too many people walking this earth who feel as if they are not heard, seen or validated. Yes, all of these qualities, feelings, must be felt within, and we as humans are responsible for providing that sense of acceptance, and love for ourselves, BUT it doesn't mean that those that we interact with, get to drop the ball.

 How many times, and be realistic, today, and stop and scroll through your text messages, or pause and ponder a call or interaction you've had thus far, have you interjected YOUR thoughts and YOUR feelings when someone was simply trying to share with you? Were you listening to the other person, or were you thinking of what you wanted to say, that happened to you? 

How many times did you use the word "I" throughout the conversation, continuously making the topic about you. Did you sway away from the moment, were you engaged, eye to eye (if possible)? Were you distracted? 

Now let's flip the script, and talk about ways when YOU reach out to others. Are you simply reaching out to ask about someone's weekend so you can fill them in on your own? Are you asking about someone's day, simply so you can just unload after they respond? 

Are you using that person as your vent blanket, meaning that the way you handle the interaction with the other person is through sending negative updates of your life onto them instead of processing how you're feeling, engaging with yourself, and working through whatever is going on? 

I think we simply have to remember the value of listening. 

I think it is one of the hardest things we as human beings have to learn to do. AND saying that is mind boggling. Listening should be something that comes natural to us all, we should genuinely want to engage with another person, and truly just listen. 

There is no need to add your opinion, or judgement, UNLESS you are asked. 

Next time you are interacting with someone, who truly came to you to talk, just try and sit and listen, listen so intently that that person feels heard, and truly seen. 

This small shift can truly aid in making someone feel better about themselves, we can cut back on people feeling insecure, or like they are doing this thing called life all alone. 

It's truly time to be better human beings, and treat each other with care, kindness, respect, and truly have genuine concern about each other's lives. 

Let's just be better. 

Tell them you love them. Abby C Ashton