Relating my personal experiences is my way of shepherding my life lessons to my readers. My way of saying, "Look at how it is or was for me and see if you can draw any value from it for yourself."
Girlfriends ask each other for advice all the time. "What do think?" follows the most intimate disclosure from one BGF to another. Life coach and radio host (A Better Tomorrow), Steve Maraboli said to me, "Advice is what we seek when we already know the answer but really want it or like it."
Steve's provocative comment, which I still ponder upon, led to a couple of measurable shifts. I work to no longer say things like, "This is what I think you should do," or even, "Why don't you try doing this....?"
I am trying to own my own opinions and offer what I know as an option, just as I would present a tray of appetizers for my guests. Here are several choices that I have created - if one looks good you are welcome to take it. In other words, I am training myself to say, "May I tell you how it is for me?" When I ask the question, it means waiting for the invitation to share. It also means being prepared for my friend to say, "No." They don't want to know.
- Mary Anne Radmacher
No comments:
Post a Comment