August 25th, 2004
Relating
Being in relationship (with any other person… including friends, family, etc…) has nothing to do with changing your belief system and values but it has everything to do with accomodating for the other person’s needs. This can include the way you speak to the other person and your body language. Each and every person brings to the table a different life experience – thus, each person will experience you differently. It is important to keep a watchful eye on the way your words and actions are affecting the other person.
It also means you will experience others differently . Thus, it can be dangerous (relationally) to jump to conclusions about another person’s motives based on their actions.
Any ideas on how to teach “It is important to keep a watchful eye on the way your words and actions are affecting the other person.” to a high school student?
I know several who have the attitude: “Other people should accommodate how I express myself”. And in “real life” that doesn’t happen very often.