Complaining seems to be a way to pass time in our world today. Everyone seems to take a side on every issue. Everyone seems to enjoy arguing with others over some of the silliest things, often things that really don’t matter so much in the end.
I realize I’m no different. I have to admit I do my share of complaining. It’s too hot or too cold. I’m bored or I don’t have time. Yet, the biggest complaint in my life is that people have lost the art of communication. It is the one thing that really gets under my skin.
Throwing words at one another on the internet isn’t communication. Most people are merely arguing and being pulled into the divide of our world around us. People will say things they would rarely say in person to strangers online.
Being right isn’t communication. I’ve heard it said that listening is the greatest part of communication. It may be just me, but I get so frustrated with people online in discussions trying to merely prove they are right. An open ear and heart will often reveal that there are more similarities to those we are disagreeing with that the disagreements we are having.
Parroting Answers or thoughts isn’t true communication. This may come from my teaching side. We can have the technical answers while missing the deeper meaning. Many people in today’s fast passed world treat the world like it is a trivia show and simply answering the question technically is enough. However, deeper communication means knowing the answer and why we understand it to be true. If we are merely parroting what a book, website, or podcast has told us it isn’t our thought on the subject. True communication happens at a far deeper level and we will get so much more out of life if we would learn to think and ponder as we communicate and not merely spout out answers to others.
I hope and pray we can save ourselves from the downward spiral of broken communication in our world.
While I cannot control others, and I’m sure I’ll still be frustrated at times with others, I can work to be a better listener, thinker, and thus a better communicator in my own little way in the world.,
DG Shipton 
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