Communications 101

In progress........

&;#65279;Communications 101

by

Brad Campbell

I dearly love little children (No, I'm not 'one of those'). One of
their most endearing qualities is
their ability to communicate, sometimes with brutal honesty. A
four-year-old once told me, in
the middle of a large group of relatives, "I 'member you! I saw you at
that place people go so
they don't drink no more!" No wasted words. No holding back. No mind
games (I'm talking
little children).

As adults, our communication is hindered by all the bad habits we learn
growing up. As a rule,
we don't listen well. We practice 'faulty mind reading', incorrectly
assuming what the other
party is trying to say, etc..............

The following little story illustrates my point:

It was a nice, sunny Spring morning and I was just riding around town
on my bicycle, in no
hurry, and with no particular place to go. As I was passing by our
quaint little city park, a loud
voice startled me.

"HEY MISTER!"

It was obviously a child's voice, but I was impressed by the volume. I
stopped momentarily, but
didn't see anybody nearby. Just as I was beginning to proceed, I heard
it again, louder.

"HEY MISTER!"

Then I spotted a young girl, sitting in a swing, probably nearly a
hundred feet away. I was once
again impressed that such a powerful voice could come from such a small
body. She couldn't
have been more than about five years old, unless she was playing hooky,
as school was in
session. I didn't see anybody else around, and thought it strange that
this young child would be
in the park by herself. I approached cautiously, not wanting her mother
(or worse yet, her father)
to suddenly appear and think me a pedophile.

As I got reasonably close, I questioned, "Are you talking to me?"

"Yep" She waves me towards her. "Come here."

I scan the park carefully for any sign of another adult. Not a single
parked car. Nothing. "Me?"

Now pointing to the ground beside her, "Come over here!" (Do you see
anybody else around?)

Assertive little thing, I'm thinking. I walk on over. "Can I help
you?"

"Will you give me a push?" (That would be a help.)

"You want me to give you a push?"

"Yep." (That's what I said.)

"Is your Mom or Dad around?"

"Nope." (If they were here, why would I be asking you for a
push?)

"Do you know where they are?"

"Nope." (Are you lookin' for my Mom and Dad, or are you gonna give me a
push?)

"Well, what's a little girl like yourself doing here in the park, all
alone?"

"Ain't doin'nothin'." (This guy is dense.) "But I'd be swingin', if you
would give me a push."