Did You Get My Meaning? Yeah, If You Meant to Be a Jerk! (Challenge 5)

I try not to write like an extended Hallmark Card. I don't want to come across sounding trite or overly touchy feely. I strive to be genuine and write from a place we all come from at some time.

I really feel like even though we live in a time where we can be communicated with at any time, I don't believe we are really communicating most of the time. Textual communication (including this blog) can lose all tonal context, all emotional emphasis and sometimes do more damage than good. It has bled over into our speaking interactions as well. I don't believe we are as choosy with what we actually say to people because we are so used to textual chit-chat and assumptions that the other person will "know what we meant by that text." We should be in a place where we are checking in more with each other, but we are checking in less.

Have you ever been to a party where there's a guy or girl who has to make a comment about every conversation or every person? Then by the end of the night you are so annoyed by them you wished you had never met them in the first place. Social networking sites have made all of us that guy or girl at some point. Some of us are still that guy or girl.

Granted, I update Facebook and Twitter in the go, I'm not free from that. But I really watch myself on when I'm doing it. I watch people pull our their Iphones, Droids, and Blackberrys at the worst times though. I have had friends say they have missed talking to me and then in the middle of our conversation pull out their phone and start messing with it all under the caveat of, "keep talking, I'm listening." It devalues the whole situation and I've been guilty of it too.

So here is the next challenge in the returning dignity project and really in the, "I want to be a better friend and listen more so I value you project."

Challenge 5: Work to increase your vocal communication and to decrease your textual communication This means call someone instead of text if possible. (Phone we actually designed to talk on. I know crazy right?) Actually work to see someone face to face. And when you do keep your phone in your pocket or in your purse and give them your full attention. Let them know you value you them completely. If you need to use textual communication, make sure you are checking in with someone and acknowledging the textual communication with verbal communication.

This projects goal as I have said many times before is to make everyday interactions more genuine. Real relationships aren't built out of comments and quips. They are built our of spending intentional time interacting with one another.

I hope this challenge helps you find your relationships getting stronger and better.