Have you ever been the "outsider" in a group of friends,
family or coworkers when a word or phrase is uttered
and they all start laughing?
Typically this group quickly realizes that the "outsider" is
unaware of their "insider s" joke and they all begin to share
the story of their shared memory. Pretty soon you too are
in on the joke and laughing right along with them.
While the above example is one of laughter invoked simply
by a word or phrase, other stories can stir our hearts with
compassion, bring us to tears, or inspire us into action for
a cause or to create change we wish to see. I've discovered
that when shared, a persons story can help ease pain -
theirs and others - and help them process through a difficult
time, teach valuable lessons, and even bring laughter.
Throughout human history, stories of people and
peoples have been passed from generation to generation.
In the corporate sense, this is so we remember, learn
and carry on traditions. Yet even more powerful is the
story of one person:
? What brought them to where they are?
? Where have they lived, worked and played?
? What is their greatest life lesson?
? How did they come to learn this lesson?
? What wisdom would they like to share with future
generations so their path is easier and filled with
more love, joy and laughter?
Each and every one of us wants to know that we matter.
We want to feel that we are truly seen, heard and loved So,
if we want this for ourselves, then surely others must too.
So often when we engage in conversations, as the other
party speaks, our minds are quickly shuffling through
our memory banks for relatable information that
we can tell them. These interchanges are commonly
referred to as shallow or superficial conversations.
Deep and meaningful conversations occur when one
party truly listens and the other party feels and knows
that they have been heard. This type of active listening,
for most of us, takes practice.
One of the greatest gifts we can give and show someone
that we respect, honor and value them as fellow human
being is to actively listen to them.
Have you ever walked away from a conversation with
someone and they depart saying, "Wow, you've really
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