Let's Talk Ideas

It says on one of my client’s study walls:

“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

Many times at social gatherings I find myself having an inner battle over the conversation topic which is being discussed. I find myself moving from one clique to another trying to find some inspiring conversation which stretches my imagination and enthrals my being. 

I move from a group that is amusing themselves with anecdotes of all their past drunken escapades to another that is relating incident by incident some past events which they experienced together. The next group is sharing what they have done at work. Everyone is recounting past events. I have no aversion to reliving the past if it is of benefit to making changes or for learning something from it. But to me it seems that we just open our mouths to make utterances and to fill the silence. It all just seems like a bunch of phatic communication.

Phatic communication, in case you don’t know, is basically small talk. It is to create an air of sociability rather than to communicate about ideas or share feelings. It goes like this: “Hello. How are you? Fine. How are you? Great thanks. How is work? Yes, all good and yours? Good, good thanks. Ah well, give my regards to your wife. And you yours. Have a great day. You too.”

No one is really listening to anyone else. Each just has their turn to talk. But no one wants for the other to divulge anything of truth or from the heart. Each one just has their say and contributes to polluting the silence. So I ask: “What is the point?”

This kind of communication just doesn’t do it for me. I want to hear and know what it is that the other person is feeling. I am more interested in what is happening at a soul level with the person I am sharing with, or hearing their creative ideas than having a detailed inventory of their past deeds.

I want to discuss a way out of this, share an idea of how we could create a sustainable economy that would benefit everyone and challenge the ‘eye for an eye’ way we have been doing things. I want solutions for this mad, materially focused world. I believe if we put all our talents together, we must be able to come up with a better template, a new recipe for success and prosperity. Surely if we take all the stories from our history text books, we can find the common thread that has been the culprit in recreating just more and more suffering and war? Surely we can learn from the past and find ways to create a world that is kind and beneficial to all? 

Let’s halt this cacophony and mindless repetitious regurgitating of past stories. And let’s DO SOMETHING. Let’s share some new, innovative, out-of-the-box ideas on how we can recreate our world. If we can think it, we can intend it and then we can manifest it.

Here’s to real meaningful communication

Have a great week ahead

Love

Nicolette                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

My Gift to You

Here’s a gift that popped into my life when I switched on my computer this morning. And I wish to share it with you.

“May the touch of your kindness bless all you do, for without love's warmth even wild roses may forget how to blossom.”                                                                                                                                                                                           Joe Mullally

Wow! Thank you Joe for reminding me that we all have precious gifts that need to be realised and shared with one another. The gift of giving, no matter what it is, no matter the size, is so important. 

The receipt is the invisible that often goes unnoticed. The impact of our caring and sharing is hidden from view. We don’t see the idea that is crystallising in another’s mind as a by-product of something we shared. We often can’t visibly detect the catalytic effect our words, hugs and smiles are having on the inside, in the inner recesses of those to whom we have paid a compliment.

Most times we are oblivious to the impact our thoughts, words and actions have on one another’s’ lives. Each harsh word has the ability to cause another to wilt and perish and die just a little. Each seed of encouragement we plant has the ability to cause another to revive, thrive and renew hope. 

Joe’s words serve as a reminder to each one of us to remember our main purpose here on Earth which is to serve one another. That doesn’t mean we all have to quit our day jobs and become spiritualists or motivational speakers. NO. We all need to do what we do best. We need to use the gifts we have been blessed with. And we need to do that with our utmost ability. But aside from that we need to be kind to one another and we need to keep on giving and finding opportunities to bring light into each other’s lives.

In my mind some of the smallest of gifts have the greatest impact. That smile from a stranger, a friend you haven’t had the opportunity of meeting yet, might be the pickup you most need to ease your sadness. That big bear hug from your child or a friend is just the antidote to soothe your stress. That compliment from a work colleague feels as good as any accolade or award. I could go on, but I’m sure you get my point.

Let’s give each other gifts of kindness and appreciation and let’s witness a renewed excitement and passion for living, whether you’re the giver or the receiver.

Have a beautiful week ahead

from my heart  
Nicolette