I am an avid reader of DailyOm. (www . dailyom . com (remove spaces, I still can't post links
). They provide more often than not, some useful, quick, interesting reading on things that can inspire me to think more, speak carefully more, or give guidance on interpersonal work I need to do.
At one point I had a whole blog dedicated to nothing but "light and inspiration" and 9 times out of 10 it was filled with quoted DailyOm stories and articles. I save them and today as I was going through them I came across this one. I read it a few times before posting it here to be sure that it wasn't something too left field. The interesting thing when I read it again was, while it speaks of communication to others, it can also be interpreted as communication with self.
With respect to my weight loss and obesity, I struggle with communicating openly with myself, accepting myself and really understanding sometimes what drives me to do the things I do to myself. So as I read this to post it here, it inspired me yet again. So I wanted to share it with you too
It may mean nothing to you, but perhaps it will. Enjoy!
~*~
Centering And Expressing Communication When we are in a relationship where we feel listened to and understood, we count ourselves lucky because we know how rare that experience is. We reserve our most intimate selves for the people who, along with us, co-create an open space where we feel free to express ourselves and listen without judgment. These relationships, which thrive on open communication, can mean the difference between existential loneliness and a deep sense of belonging. We all long to feel heard, understood, and loved and clear communication makes this possible. Sometimes problems arise in the process of expressing how we feel, but it is always worth it to do the work. Even in our less intimate relationships, expressing ourselves honestly is essential to our sense of well-being. Whether at home with family or in the outside world, successful communication requires some forethought; otherwise we risk blundering through our relationships like the proverbial bull in a china shop. However, too much forethought can stifle us or cause us to pad our words so extremely that we end up saying nothing at all or confusing the matter further. The good news is that there are many methods that can come to our rescue, from meditation to visualization to journaling. If the person we need to communicate with is open to sitting in meditation together for a set period of time before speaking, this can be invaluable. When we are calm and centered, we can count on ourselves to speak and respond truthfully. We can also meditate on our own time and then practice what we need to say. A visualization in which we sit with the person and lovingly exchange a few words can also be a great precedent to an actual conversation. If writing comes easily, we can write out what we need to say; it may take several drafts, but we will eventually find the words. The key is to find ways to center ourselves so that we communicate meaningfully, lovingly, and wisely. In this way, we honor our companions and create relationships in which there is a genuine sense of understanding and respect.