Collaborative Communication Takes Practice

… Home, School, or Office

“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”

― Lao Tzu

This quote says it all. Ultimately it is the theme of our practice of living (thoughts, words, and actions) that shapes what we will BE. Hence, we need to work on practicing our communication skills.

Too often while growing up or while raising our two boys, I found our family unit, non-communicative because we were all exhausted. We often retreated into our own peace-filled zones, or we were distracted by different activities, and/or we were busy communicating with those outside our family. These choices became our communication habitual dance. Sometimes, these habits of communicating became boring and created a close-minded mindset so that we would assume the thoughts, reactions, and behaviors of those in our families. At times we created unfair labels for each other or predictions of behavior.

How and when did these misconceptions get changed or challenged? When we changed the daily ordinary dance. We would gain a new perspective of each other. For a number of years, we attempted to have family meetings once a week or every couple of weeks. These were a way we could discuss problems and share feelings. Holidays certainly changed our routines, whether they were celebrations at home or traveling. Overall, on a weekly basis, as I mentioned in an earlier blog, even our dinner routines could get stale or boring, with us changing things up with going out for a meal.

How would I do things differently? I’d introduce some fun communication activities/games that could be practiced once a week at the dinner table. I know of families that once a week would set aside a night for family board game night. Board games are a great way of encouraging fun out of the usual communication between family members. Incidentally, teachers, could have a board game period once a week which might be a great way of practising communication between classmates. Ultimately, I’d make a bigger effort at ‘changing the communication dance’ from our regular routines.

Check out the following links for ideas for challenging your family to fun activities that can be introduced at dinner or while relaxing after workday.