Part of effective communication has nothing to do with the words we use, but our attitude. Do you look them in the eye when you speak to people or is your attention divided as you text, talk on the phone, watch something on TV or read the paper? Do you use generic terms when you answer them or do you give them specific feedback? Are you warm and inviting? Do you tell them why they are special to you? Do you share your thoughts and feelings with them? Have you taken the time to offer help when needed? Really listen when they share? Making people feel special is the building blocks of a good friendship. That involves several things: Noticing...
It's a new year and, like all new beginnings, it comes with an opportunity. Each year, and each day for that matter, gives us an opportunity to renew old friendships, repair past hurts, and rekindle the love we once felt for our spouse. Is there a friend you haven't spoken to in a long time? Was it just because you hadn't taken the time or is it due to a falling out? The longer we are out of touch with someone, the more difficult it seems to take that first step toward renewal or repair of a distant or damaged relationship. Many people I talk to say they'd be willing to repair a relationship if only the other person would...
So far this Thanksgiving month, we've talked about why it's often difficult to Praise God in the Storm, what God Says about Being Thankful, What Being Thankful Doesn’t Mean, some things that will help us to remember in trying to be thankful. I've given you some practical advice with tips on exactly HOW to praise God in the storm. On Monday, I shared what happens to our communication when we are thankful and today I have a few more consequences of being thankful. 1. Others find us more approachable The old saying, "laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and you cry alone" is quite true. Unless you're so delirious with joy that you seem a Stepford Wife, the...
All this Thanksgiving month, I've been sharing about how to Praise God in the Storm. I've talked about what God Says about Being Thankful, and What Being Thankful Doesn’t Mean. I've talked about how sometimes things that friends and family communicate to us can make our struggles more difficult and about things we can communicate to ourselves that can help us during struggles like some things that will help us to remember. I'd never seen any practical advice with tips on exactly HOW to praise God in the storm and be thankful so I posted two articles on things we can do that will help us to be thankful and praise Him even during our most difficult struggles. Finishing up...
On Monday I shared some things we can do that will help us become thankful so that we can praise God in the midst of the storms of our lives. Here are some more things that have helped me over the years and I pray they help you as well. 1. Remember that joy and happiness are two different things Keep things in proper perspective. Happiness, as defined by Merriam Webster as good fortune or prosperity, a state of well-being and contentment, joy or a pleasurable or satisfying experience. Joy is listed as the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires, delight, the expression or exhibition of such emotion, gaiety,...
