“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your
mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister
grace unto the hearers. And grieve not
the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of
redemption.”—Ephesians 4:29, 30 (KJV)
A
famous saying asserts: “You’ll catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”
I have never tested this homespun philosophy.
It’s a metaphor about communication, too…
Yelling and screaming don’t bring long-lasting, positive
results. Calm, two-way conversation can open the door to a meeting of minds.
I’m
not a mental-health, or communications, professional. That’s not necessary to
sense the widespread fear and rage. The
coronavirus lockdown only adds fuel to the fire.
Today,
I’m happy to highlight tips from a man who was the epitome of compassion and
composure: Fred Rogers (a.k.a. Mr. Rogers of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.) Generations of Americans grew up
watching this educational, but entertaining preschool show. (That includes me.)
The
remainder of this article will include a video clip and points from the 2019 Tom
Hanks movie: A Beautiful Day in the
Neighborhood. The movie is based on an Esquire
magazine article written about Fred Rogers in 1998: “Can You Say…Hero?”. Please see the reprint
of the original Tom Junod article here.
People on a subway sing Mr. Rogers’ most
famous song (from the movie)
Bible-Based Advice from Fred Rogers (an ordained
Presbyterian Minister)
“Let all
bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away
from you, with all malice:”—Ephesians 4:31 (KJV)
Identify and
discuss your feelings. Talk it out—in a simple way.
Choose how
you respond to your anger. Don’t let it overcome you. Redirect your frustration.
(Exercise, pound a lump of clay…)
“And be ye
kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for
Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”—Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)
Speak in a
soft voice; don’t be confrontational.
Forgiveness
is not just for the offender. It also lifts a huge burden off the one who does
the forgiving.
Other Random
Suggestions and Attitudes
Nobody’s a perfect
parent. Having kids gives us all the chance to begin again.
Be “real”
all the time. Don’t pretend to be something you’re not.
Life is
full of stages. We must accept the difficult times as well as the joyful ones:
- Death/birth
- Joy/sorrow
My Conclusion
Is your communication laced with honey,
or vinegar?
No comments:
Post a Comment