Even more important than your own truth is listening to what your counterpart has to say. Be told that ‘listening’ does not always have to be with your ears, other senses can listen as well! Looking into your partner’s eyes could tell you more than you can imagine, and then there is the importance of the body language. Even those of us who claim to be oblivious to the signals other people send will be able to pick up the basics. Like any other skill, this takes practice, and you’ll be much aware that interacting with the same person over time will always teach you new ways to ‘read’ their appearance. Touch is another great example for the sometimes unusual ways we communicate: I picked up a little thing when I was a student, often surrounded by North African friends. I realised at some point that they didn’t verbally interrupt a conversation, but they softly placed a hand on one the shoulder or back of the person they wanted to talk to. When this ongoing conversation came to a turning point, they could then turn around and engage with the new person. Yes: this is also a form of telling something, and listening to what is being said without words. And then, of course, there is your voice! You could simply say something, or you make some kind of noise to draw attention. Communicating with animals often involves simple sounds – clicking, hissing, humming, etc., so why not use those for human animals as well? I like to think that those little sounds do enhance many experiences. Food for thought? Absolutely!
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About me
These are my own thoughts on aspects of my work I feel strongly about. Archives
September 2021
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