Listening Lessons
Communication is a two-way street. It involves speakers and listeners. In good communication one person does not monopolize the conversation. Nor does the listener simply keep his mouth shut without entering into the dialogue. Here are a few helpful hints…
Read MoreTalking Tips
Poor communication is often cited as the major contributor to marital misunderstandings, parent-child conflicts and interpersonal problems in general. Communication involves at least two parties: the speaker and the listener. It is definitely a two-way street. Misunderstandings may be the…
Read MoreWhich Disturbs me More?
The other day I recalled an interesting situation that happened a long time ago when our children were young. Funny how something one has not thought of in years, can suddenly come to mind. At such times I often figure…
Read MoreFixing Our Flats
Every now and then my husband comes out with some simple yet profoundly wise illustration that truly impacts me… and a lot of others as well! Such is the story of the flat tire… A family is driving down the…
Read MoreTaming the Tongue
Whoever said “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me,” was not, in my opinion, telling the truth. Of course it is accurate that words do not cause physical injury to a person. However at…
Read MoreA Recipe for Change
“I just can’t change.” Ever said that to yourself, or at least thought it? I have. Even at age 61, there are still many of my actions and attitudes that I would like to change. In spite of that long…
Read MoreThe “I Can’t!” Zone
We’ve all been there. I know I certainly have! We’ve all found ourselves in that horrible place where all we can think is… “I can’t!”” I can’t take it anymore.” “I can’t put up with one more …” “I can’t…
Read MoreCaring…or Coddling?
I’ve been running into them a lot lately… folks trying desperately to communicate the message, “I love you,” by over-indulging the whims of their loved one. Of course they wouldn’t say they are overindulgent. They wouldn’t want to use the…
Read MoreA Journey Home
It must come with being a sexagenarian (sounds more perky than “senior citizen”)… but reunions have suddenly become appealing to me. For years I attended multi-generational gatherings more out of duty than desire. But this summer my husband and I…
Read MoreIs it Enough?
The other day my husband read part of a magazine article to me. The gist of the excerpt questioned our North American emphasis on achievement and accomplishment. It suggested that this “gotta-reach-the-top” mentality has even permeated Christian culture. It struck…
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