Attended mass today @ SJC.. And thought that this week's Homily was really meaningful. Really caught my attention.
Father Joachim was saying that this week's Communication week. As i listened. i took down a few pointers. which i feel is worth to share...
Means of communication.
1. Appropriateness of communication- With the great technologies nowadays... people tend to relate their decisions, their feelings through SMS. People ask each other out for dinner... ask how they are.. even make huge decisions like would you like to be my gf/bf or even a breakup or divorce msg. Are this appropriate?
SMS stands for Short Msg Services. Which in other words, only short msg. Such as meet for dinner tonight? It shouldn't be where things that needs to be clarified or big decisions and sharings be done through.
- When we want to relate something important to the other party, a face to face talk is always better. Not only it lessens the misunderstandings and hurts, but it helps to let the other party understand you better.
- Same words can result in different reactions because of how it was being put across. Try with this... when a Mum sends a SMS to the child asking "Why are you back so late?" To the child it maybe a spotcheck msg. It maybe a msg to scold the child. and hence it'll make the child frustrated. But then.. if she could ask face to face "Why are you back so late?" The child can see and hear the mum's tone and expression. Which might just tell of how worried the mum is.
2. Commuication: A language we use.- What kind of language do we use? We always pressume things.. The tone that we use.. the words that we choose to say. look into this senario. A broken vase, and the child is sending next to it. Mum walks in and sees it. her first reaction, she pressumes its the child that broke it. and the first thing that she says is "WHY!" But as a matter of fact, the child didn't do anything.
- We should always weigh the consequences of what we say. In when we do say? In how we say it?
- Are we being sensitive to what we say? How often we say things that hurt but we dont realise it? I am guilty of it. I believe each and everyone of us too.
- Have we thought of what is the intention when we say things? What's my expression? My tone? All these makes a difference.
- When we say things.... shall we stop to think first, how am i feeling right now. Angry? If so.. what's going to come out from my mouth, is it going to hurt the other party? Is that my intention to?
And with this... i end my little sharing here. I believe this homily struck me, and caught my attention because of how i am guilty of how miscommunication happens.. At home, with close friends.. with collegues. That is hurts me too. and that's why i decided to make this entry to share it with everyone. (:
To those i've hurt with words ive said and how communication just broke down. I apologise.
