The tongue is the only tool that gets sharper with use (Washington Irving)

Communication is a funny thing. Some people who don’t like conflict avoid communicating about problems. Some people talk all the time and others have no idea what they’re talking about (Mark Twain: "If you have nothing to say, say nothing."). Some people can only communicate in their own “language”, meaning they don’t know how to talk to other people in a way that they will understand. Some people beat around the bush and say all kinds of things before the person they’re talking finally figures out what person 1 is saying or trying to say. "The problem with communication is the illusion that it has occurred," said George Bernard Shaw. Relatively few people are effective communicators, at least where it’s important; these people know how to clearly state their thoughts and feelings, how to understand the other person’s thoughts and feelings, and how to make their conversation “go somewhere.”

I think that a large percentage of people or perhaps most people in this world have a basic understanding of how to effectively communicate. However, we don’t all know how to implement those ideas into our own relationships. Or maybe we do know how, but we don’t do it because it’s hard, it’s uncomfortable, or maybe it’s awkward. But communication is vital if we want to have strong relationships in our lives. Even with strangers or acquaintances, we want to communicate something to them. We want those relationships to mean something, even if they won’t last; that is why people in general try to get along with strangers.

Typically when writing a blogpost that you intend people to read, you communicate something. Now you know how I fail here, because since I don’t even know what I’m trying to say about communication, I can’t communicate my message on communication to you! (How’s that for confusing?) I’m mostly just musing. But, communication is something we should all work on. A lot of people feel uncomfortable around people who are very straightforward and blunt. I am usually grateful to those people because they are effective communicators. There is a point where being blunt can be construed as rudeness…and while sometimes that point of rudeness can and should be avoided, other times it is necessary to communicate a point. No, I’m not suggesting you go out and be a jerk and just tell everyone what horrible things you think of them. Just take it in stride, and know that sometimes telling someone something in tough love does more for them than sweet-talking them. Point being, communication is important and we should work on how we communicate. "Communication works for those who work at it," says John Powell. Why should we care? Because "the way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives" (Anthony Robbins).