“If what is said isn’t understood as you wish the first time, let’s take a breath, and say it a second time – to make sure we get it right – together”

Many really good people struggle with the spoken word.  Not so much the day to day, but when it seems to matter. Sometimes, when it really matters.  They just can’t find the words to express what they are feeling at an important time.

You know the times, life’s crunch time.  And conversely, many of us struggle to listen as we should at that same crunch time. Maybe a relationship is in the balance, a big time work thing, or a family matter that has grown large.  Listening and watching are the same thing at this time.  When someone opposite you is wrestling with the expression of their feelings, we should watch them intently, and listen same.  Understanding they are trying to verbalize mightily at the surface, what has manifested honestly from the very deep.  And for many, in fact all of us at one time or another have been on both sides of the conversation.

And you know, it may not have come out the way they wished he first time, and that’s OK.  But if you’re watching, you’ll see that, and if you’re listening you’ll hear it.  So then both should breathe, and try again.  And now that the pressure has been released, generally they get it right the second time.  And again, if you’re watching, you’ll know that too. 

It’s never easy to say, what isn’t easy to say.   So together, it can be said much easier.  It’s a free gift to give those in your life whose words struggle on the journey from heart to head.  We can then feel what is felt, and hear what is said. 

Here’s a nice song about the words struggle, from Rock Hall Of Famer, Dave Mason…