…Don’t say anything at all. We all heard that as a child. And after tonight…. I feel like it needs to be repeated.
After a truly marvelous weekend of family, friends and a little Andy Stanley, I sit here tonight a little bit sad. After church tonight I went out to dinner with a bunch of friends. It is always like a final goodbye to the weekend and a great way to wind down, catch up and share a moment or two of genuine time with the amazing people I have in my life. Tonight was no exception. Dinner was fun and I left feeling refreshed and energized… ready for the week ahead. And then, within a matter of a few minutes that all changed.
It continues to amaze me how the lack of communication can rip us apart. It makes me upset to know that people will lash out with their words without considering the lasting effects that they have. I’m hurt that things can be taken out of context and spread like wildfire through a group that supposedly cares deeply for one another. Bottom line, I’m sad that people won’t take the time and just confront each other instead of bringing others into the underlying issue.
I go to bed tonight praying that these two or three individuals can find their way back to each other. That they all take a deep breath before lashing out, and that they take a look at a big picture. My hope is that we all learn how to love each other a little better and treat each other with a little more respect. And ultimately, learn how to focus on ourselves and our own demons before casting judgment on others.
To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. -Mark 12:32-34
Its been a whirl wind kind of week! I now have a mere 5 days left at my current office. As of November 23rd, I will be working in the big city and will no longer have the similar, friendly faces around me. Its been a difficult decision to walk away from such an amazing working environment to say the least.
To complicate the transition, the (lack of) communication between my management concerning my move has left lots of people feeling out of the loop. I can easily understand the frustration as some very important people within this company are finding about the transition through hear-say. These people have invested in our program and have made a personal investment in me these last 8+ months. They deserved to know that I was leaving. They deserved some communication.
It continues to amaze me how much communication plays a vital role in every relationship we have. Here, it shows up in the work place, but its often the reason for personal relationship failure. I will be the first to admit that I have had to learn how to be a better communicator. But at least I’m aware of my shortcomings! Some go through their entire lives without grasping the concept. So many problems have the potential to be completely prevented had we made the effort to talk, to email, to scream, to call… to communicate.
Finially, this morning, after many hurt feelings, strong worded phone calls, and heated conversations an official email was sent out to bring everyone up to speed on my move. Amazingly, everyone is now OK with the change. Imagine the frustration that would have been avoided had that same email gone out a few weeks ago.
Instead of now being the center of controversy, the mood has shifted to sadness. My coworkers and I are now having to say goodbye and make the promises to see each other again.
Honestly, I don’t know which is worse.
