On Harmony: The Sweet Sound Of Hearing Someone Say ‘I See Your Point’

I like harmony, perhaps I even crave it. Hearing raised voices or arguments is hard for me to hear; not to say I haven’t occasionally raised my voice or argued, but I prefer not to.

I am currently reading two books right now:  My Little Ikigai Journal and Finding Yourself at Work. One thing in each book came to me this past week.

The first was a question from the Ikigai Journal asking, what do I see or understand better than most people. My answer was that I can see our common need for love, kindness, acceptance and validation.  Most of us realize this about ourselves but forget that others need this too.

The second was a quote from the other book from neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris that says, ‘The only thing that permits human beings to collaborate with one another in a truly open-ended way is their willingness to have their beliefs modified by new facts. Only openness to evidence and argument will secure a common world for us.’

In these days of fractious politics and divisiveness, I wonder how often any of us are willing to have our minds changed, to see someone else’s point of view and consider it. Are we listening to understand the other or are we just waiting to share our well-rehearsed response.

Try this ONE thing

I find myself asking when the last time is I said those words, ‘I see your point’. I’m going to commit to using those words this week, and every week if I can. Which doesn’t mean I’ll always change my mind, but at least shows the other that I’m open to hearing them.

What about you? Will you take up the challenge with me?

Want to experience coaching? I like to start with a deep, get-to-know-you conversation to see if we are right for each other. Sometimes we talk for one or two hours at no charge. I have no goal except to bring about transformation. Together we work on the lies, the self-deception, the fears of the power you perceive to be outside yourself. We work on your difficulties in making decisions and your inability thus far to make bold choices in life and to follow through and trust yourself completely to do so.

The irony for some people is that the very thing that they want the coaching for (an indecisive, half-hearted life) is what’s keeping them from deciding whether to get coaching.

When you’re ready, reach out @ karen.laidlaw.theONEthing@outlook.com. Meanwhile, enjoy the blog!