Communication Epiphany

This year I have sought out counseling in order to better understand myself and my relationships. I have attended weekly individual counseling, as well as couples counseling with my husband. I share this because I feel like there is a stigma that if you need counseling or go to counseling there must be something wrong with you. Truth is, there is something "wrong" with all of us. I am choosing to work hard on becoming a better person; and counseling is helping me.

In addition to counseling, I have expanded my horizons on books I am reading. I will blog or podcast as I revisit them and can provide clear summaries of what I have learned. Most recently, I read that when we communicate, there are actually four things going on:

1. What we mean to say
2. What we actually say
3. What the person hears
4. What they think you mean

I am calling this a communication epiphany; because it is so simple, yet so complex, and very true; that what we mean to say is not always what is said, or what the other person takes away from the conversation. 

Keep this in the back of your mind when you are communicating. Try to think of things from the other person's perspective. Repeat back what you are hearing, and most importantly, listen to the other person.