8 techniques for evaluating character, teenage friendships, why you should drink water before an important conversation, and letting little bad things happen
Happy demi-versary, Chris! And such good work done. The other day, I saw a father strolling his infant, with full headphones on (cans, likely Beats) while staring at his phone. I see this with other parents/caregivers, too. WTF?! That's where this lack of socialization starts, IMO. Parents are on screens or calls, not engaging with their kids. (Not a mom, but a longtime babysitter, and you pay attention/talk to the child, teach them while you're out and about, even when they are small and inert. Not hard.) And when I notice someone isn't listening, I stop talking. Then I wait. When they finally realize I'm not talking, I ask them what's up. We all have those days when we are somewhere else, so I don't take it personally. But I do like the look on their face when they're caught. LOL. Maya Angelou's sage wisdom, "When someone shows you who they are, believe them. The first time," are words I live by. Trusting our guts is invaluable but, too often, we don't. Usually, to be polite, to adhere to what others think about that person, to fit in. Always a mistake. And only in the last two years have I finally gotten in my 8 of 8. Best compliment was when I went in for a blood draw and the phlebotomist said, "Ooooh, great veins. You're so hydrated!" 😂 You rule, Chris. Looking forward to what the next six bring. xo
Thanks Rebecca! I like the idea of hydration socks. In unrelated news, I just saw a commercial for pocket socks and don't know how they weren't invented sooner.
Happy six-monthiversary, Chris! 🥳 We’re all lucky you’re here.
In addition to the relief that smartphones didn’t exist in my youth, this will stay with me: “We are so risk-averse nowadays, that we often try to eliminate any negative events in our lives.”
I’ve been noticing this phenomenon in conversations, too—often, we’re so afraid of hurting someone’s feelings that we avoid speaking about needs or preferences directly. But letting “little bad things” happen, relationally, can help avoid the bigger bad things. Lots of good food for thought!
Happy demi-versary, Chris! And such good work done. The other day, I saw a father strolling his infant, with full headphones on (cans, likely Beats) while staring at his phone. I see this with other parents/caregivers, too. WTF?! That's where this lack of socialization starts, IMO. Parents are on screens or calls, not engaging with their kids. (Not a mom, but a longtime babysitter, and you pay attention/talk to the child, teach them while you're out and about, even when they are small and inert. Not hard.) And when I notice someone isn't listening, I stop talking. Then I wait. When they finally realize I'm not talking, I ask them what's up. We all have those days when we are somewhere else, so I don't take it personally. But I do like the look on their face when they're caught. LOL. Maya Angelou's sage wisdom, "When someone shows you who they are, believe them. The first time," are words I live by. Trusting our guts is invaluable but, too often, we don't. Usually, to be polite, to adhere to what others think about that person, to fit in. Always a mistake. And only in the last two years have I finally gotten in my 8 of 8. Best compliment was when I went in for a blood draw and the phlebotomist said, "Ooooh, great veins. You're so hydrated!" 😂 You rule, Chris. Looking forward to what the next six bring. xo
I love that Maya Angelou quote!
A great milestone, Chris - here's to the next six months and beyond! 🥳
That water thing - fascinating! Pulling up my hydration socks RIGHT AWAY!
Thanks for another terrific post. 😊
Thanks Rebecca! I like the idea of hydration socks. In unrelated news, I just saw a commercial for pocket socks and don't know how they weren't invented sooner.
Pocket socks? WOW! Their slogan says it all: 'The most clever sock in the world.'
https://www.pocketsocks.com
AWESOME!
I don't know how I didn't invent it.
😂🧦
Happy six-monthiversary, Chris! 🥳 We’re all lucky you’re here.
In addition to the relief that smartphones didn’t exist in my youth, this will stay with me: “We are so risk-averse nowadays, that we often try to eliminate any negative events in our lives.”
I’ve been noticing this phenomenon in conversations, too—often, we’re so afraid of hurting someone’s feelings that we avoid speaking about needs or preferences directly. But letting “little bad things” happen, relationally, can help avoid the bigger bad things. Lots of good food for thought!
Thanks Maddie!