COMMUNICATION IS THE FUEL THAT KEEPS THE FIRE OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP BURNING, WITHOUT IT, YOUR RELATIONSHIP GOES COLD.

WILLIAM PAISLEY

Have you ever seen a little toddler at meal time? The way they eat their meal, decorate their highchair and themselves and anything in reach with the food they are devouring all whilst trying to catch the attention of anyone that will give it to them.

And then the squirming and building of frustration when they are finished and want to get out of the highchair but don’t have the formed words to communicate. All that we hear is child gibberish trying to give us the sign to get them out.

How frustrating it must be for the little people to try to make us understand without being able to communicate properly.

Whilst we are not toddlers, there are many times in our lives where we get to the point of frustration, unable to express in words our thoughts and emotions. At this stage, we often revert to physical communication tactics. Ranging from intimacy, touch, physical movements and creative aspects to name a few. Each with the aim of communicating something of who we are, what we’re thinking or feeling and what we need.

Communication is key to our daily life. Being able to communicate can be the difference between a good day or a bad day, a great encounter or an awkward encounter, a productive meeting etc.

Even how we interact with strangers. For example, rather than answering good to the question ‘How are you today?’ from the local checkout operator at the supermarket, you might respond with something more spontaneous, or joyful.

St Matthew says, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”. Words are powerful and when used creatively can ease our frustration, help us communicate effectively and even have the ability to make someone’s day.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

• How do you use words to communicate effectively?
• Do you have practices to keep your frustration in check?
• When participating in the good works of the Society, how do you prepare yourself to communicate effectively with those you encounter?

From: Firewood for the soul, vol. 1, A Reflexion Book for the Whole Vincentian Family
St. Vincent de Paul Society, Queensland, Australia.
Text by: Samantha Hill.