Face-Time

I love good conversation.  My heart swells like a roasting marshmallow when I get face-time.  It’s good to catch up or get to know someone in a deeper way.  That happens through face-time.  Can even happen over the phone.  But you must be genuinely involved.

Conversation requires a balance of listening and answering, offering your thoughts and receiving theirs.  A discovery of a mutual hobby or similar work, a laugh, maybe some tears, a shared history…….an open heart.  Mostly it requires your full attention.  Your simple devotion to what’s right in front of you.

Conversation heals, brings revelation, transforms, uplifts and teaches.  If you’re truly engaged.

But we give the fake nods; say the phony “mmhhmms”; pretend we heard what was said.  Scattered, distracted, bothered, uninvolved.  We walk away from the conversation unaffected.  We barely offer anything of ourselves, understand even less.  

It makes no difference whether you’re face-to-face or on the phone.   

Good conversation, the kind that makes a difference, requires concentration and consideration.   Next time, focus your attention.  Stop everything else and connect, encourage, inspire, and listen.  Make someone’s heart swell.   

It’s the simplest way to show someone they matter.