The holiday season often brings up communication challenges for so many of us so we decided to ask Austin Wyse, one of our extremely talented presenters (who has often said to us ‘no word spoken is ever a mistake’) what his advice would be to help us through. Here’s what he had to say:
Austin: One of my favourite sayings is ‘language is inseparable from healing’. So when we observe how we communicate with ourselves and with each other we really do have the power to change our lives and the lives of others. Here are my top 3 tips to get you through Christmas and hopefully you’ll adopt them way beyond and into 2016 so that they become habitual tools to help you communicate more effectively on a daily basis:
Tip 1. Listen More Than You Speak
The Roman author Publilius Syrus, once said ‘I have often regretted my speech, but never my silence.’ There can be few things more reassuring than to be in the company of someone who is truly listening to themselves and other people. Listening can be transformative … however it is also important to remember to know when to stop listening if someone is draining you.
Tip 2. Observe Instead of React
Consider the idea that what you are angry/sad/fearful about is often not what you are angry/sad/fearful about. Experiences that happen in the present are often triggering us at a conscious level to deal with an emotion that we may have subconsciously suppressed in the past. If an uncomfortable feeling surfaces over the holidays do your best to observe it rather that respond to it in that moment … and deal with it at a deeply embedded level (with help if needed) at a less stressful time.
Tip 3. Embrace Solitude & Meditate
Solitude is not the same as loneliness, solitude can be thought of as a choice and loneliness as a response. The subconscious responds well to solitude because it allows us to find the gap between our thoughts, when we find the gaps we find peace … and then we can return to that internal peace at any time (even in the midst of the external chaos.) Make time to mediate during the holidays. Other people will notice your inner serenity and tranquility when you take time out and very likely change their responses as a result.
To learn more from Austin Wyse check out Tapping into Emotional Freedom.