ASS/U/ME

This is one I’ve wanted to do for a while. I’m just back from my favorite Saturday morning meeting, and it is always a great reminder of where I was, and what has changed! I am eternally grateful. It stops me from taking things for granted, from assuming!

Even though I have been on a journey of change for a long time, I still find myself making assumptions, and often, as indicated in the title, the assumption backfires!

To assume what other people are thinking or feeling without asking them is to invite misunderstanding. Just as disastrous is to assume other people know what we want or need without our telling them. Many potentially good friendships and marriages perish because of our false assumptions and our lack of honest communication.

Do we assume others can't live without us or wouldn't know what to think or feel unless we told them? Do we take for granted that "silence means assent"? Do we assume others don't have time for us, or don't care about us, if they don't call or go out of their way to talk to us? Do we think others can read our minds without our ever opening our mouths?

Since we can only assume the same limited or distorted thoughts of others that we have of ourselves, we each need to take the initiative to ask probing questions and give honest responses in our relationships.

TODAY I will not make the mistake of projecting my feelings onto others. I will initiate honest and open communication.

As I grow in coaching and working with others, I grow in my ability to ask good questions. In doing this, I hope less frequently I make an ASS/U/ME!

And by the way, thanks to my friend Igor, my web site has been redone and is interactive. Please look at www.hopeserenity.ca and favor us with your suggestions!

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