Communication
I’ve been sharing with you different aspects of “home.” In our journey thus far we’ve talked about belonging, welcome, kindness, just to name a few. Communication is another aspect to building good relationships. There’s all sorts of communication. Some communication is impersonal, unsolicited. I get a lot of emails I never read and I use the delete button. I know I am rejecting offers to look better, feel better and I probably have turned away a billion dollars from several folks in Nigeria. I don’t know these people and they don’t want to know me; they just want my money.
There is communication that is personal. I cherish and have a couple of boxes I have of letters I have received in my lifetime. Every so often I pull some of them out and take a trip down memory lane. Even more personal is the opportunity to visit with a friend over a coffee. We talk, reminisce, we laugh; this is the communication for me that is most enriching.
Some relationships are easy. Some more complicated. In healthy relationships an essential ingredient is comprehensive communication. When we consider communication we often think primarily of talking and this indeed is important. We speak to one another. We use language to convey thoughts, ideas, even emotion.
Most of us do email. It is a great innovation and now we can add all sorts of formats as in instant messaging, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snap Chat, texting and the like. There is a problem in that none of these formats allow for tone and emotion, or facial expression and body language. I have been offended a few times by what I perceived in an email but was wrong. I have also offended when people have misunderstood what I tried to say in a post in social media. These digital form of exchange are good for information but not necessarily for communication. Because communication is so much more than words.
We have this statistic:
“Professor Mehrabian combined the statistical results of the two studies and came up with the now famous—and famously misused—rule that communication is only 7 percent verbal and 93 percent non-verbal. The non-verbal component was made up of body language (55 percent) and tone of voice (38 percent).”
-1967, The Journal of Consulting Psychology / Albert Mehrabian and Susan R. Ferris
So as we look at communication, we must realize that what we say is just as as important as how we say it. Communication is connecting. We connect with words, physical actions, tone, expression, volume and on good days this interaction or exchange is done with passion and compassion. When we take the time to do this it makes a better home for all who dwell there.
Canterbury Moment
Holiday Wild Game Dinner
Saturday December 17th 5pm-8pm
At Canterbury Retreat & Conference Center we have established a Holiday tradition in The Holiday Wild Game Dinner and Christmas Concert with David Teems. Join us for a celebration of the season with great food, warm moments of fellowship, great conversation, delicious desserts and thrilling entertainment.
It is a little early to know the exact menu but in years past we’ve serve venison, elk, wild boar, bison, game birds and more. All this surrounded with traditional holiday favorites, fresh baked breads and amazing appetizers. Plan now and make reservations for this unique and wonderful moment. Make this your office Christmas party, treat your staff or your neighbors and spread the Christmas Spirit!
The best dessert of all is an evening concert with David Teems. David is a gifted singer, songwriter and musician. He is also an author and poet. You’ll be amazed at his talent and his fluid ability as a performer and troubadour.
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(Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. All donors will receive an itemized tax receipt.)