Pride or Prejudice
Posted: February 24, 2012 Filed under: questions, Spirituality, Thoughts 2 Comments »
The other day as I was out and about, I saw a car come dangerously close to another car. The car that was cut off was brand new and very nice. The car that almost caused the mayhem was older, already bent in several places, and not so nice. I’m not sure the driver even noticed what happened. The driver of the nice car sure did however!
The reaction from the driver of the good car was very much the way I used to react when I drove nice cars. There was anger, consternation, and much waving of the arms and lips! Ooh, I remember those feelings.
“we put our stuff ahead of people”
It’s been awhile since I’ve driven really nice cars. I bought my 4Runner in 1994, and about 100,000 miles ago it began to lose its shine. But I do remember those feelings. I remember trying to explain some the finer points of driving to other people who were altogether clueless.
Communication 102a – Winning is Losing
Posted: February 17, 2012 Filed under: Parenting, Thoughts Leave a comment »So the other night, my Wonderful Wife and I engaged in 
some intense fellowship, which, in case you were wondering, is shorthand for arguing – and it’s even less fun than you might have imagined.
Now, before you start feeling sorry for me, I have to let you know I can usually hold my own with her – but I have to stay on my toes. The problem is, sometimes I win – and that is worse.
“This is hard – very hard.”
A long time ago, long before entering the world of marital bliss, I read an article about conflict in relationships. The article was directed towards men and suggested that the best way to win, was to lose.
This is hard – very hard. For me, for most men, and for men in general. Actually, for almost anyone with a competitive nature, we tend not to back down – especially when we know we are right.
Communication 101 – 10 Crucial Practices
Posted: February 13, 2012 Filed under: Parenting, Thoughts Leave a comment »
I remember a long time ago and being in a conversation that just made me squirm. Oh it was painful. I kept interrupting, interjecting, and trying to explain what was happening. My friend, a close friend, grew annoyed at my interjections. It made her mad. I was confused. I thought she loved me, I thought she cared, I just couldn’t understand why she was beating me up with all these words of complaint.
A few years later I took a communications class sponsored by my employer. It wasn’t a required class, but it was offered as a service to help us be happier, healthier employees. I learned much, but because I wasn’t in a relationship at the time, I didn’t have a way to practice these new found skills. But I did try applying them in other situations – with my Mom, friends, coworkers, etc.
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