Communication is this week’s theme. I’d say that it is a pretty important topic when it comes to creating the life that you want. Whether we realize it or not, healthy communication is essential in getting our needs met. When we interact with people in an effective manner, both verbally and non-verbally, we increase our chances of getting what we want.
Imagine all of the people that affect your life on a daily basis. There are personal interactions like the kiss goodbye that I received from my husband this morning. And the demands from my young child before she left for school. There are many more impersonal ones like the telemarketer that calls you on the phone, or the mailman that drops off your packages. How about the person that picked the fruit you had for breakfast this morning. Most of us rarely pay attention to the seemingly insignificant interactions in our day to day lives. What if we began to pay attention. What would happen?
Perhaps there is meaning in every interaction, and with each person that affects our lives, there is an opportunity for growth and expansion. With this possiblity in mind, increasing awareness of how you communicate on a casual level will be today’s mindfulness practice. Here is the practice: Go for a walk. Without judgement, try frowning at those you pass along the way. Notice what happens. How do the people respond? Try this for several minutes, frowning at each person you pass. Next, as you continue your walk, and again, without judgement, try smiling at the people you pass. It needn’t be a huge outward smile, the key is to smile from the inside. As Thich Nhat Hahn would say “smile with your eyes”, this is an authentic smile. As you practice this, notice the change in people and the effect that your communciation has upon those you pass.
Post contributed by Mary How. Mary is the owner of Angelfish Creations, LLC and editor of the Flying Fish Blog.
Experiment concept contributed by Christie Derrick.
