Let’s Talk About It!
I’ve seen an increased focus in the last year on kids, parenting and bullying, basically everything that surrounds these issues and they are VERY important topics that I believe should be in the forefront for all of us because the world is definitely changing.
It’s so different now from when I grew up and I’m sure I’m dating myself some but I’m Ok with that. The age of computers were just starting to come in when I was in high school but the internet and social media was not in full play until much later. My experience in school was a really good one, as far as I knew I got along with everyone. I was into sports, friends and fashion and they all dominated my life in a very positive way.
When I was a kid, we would go out in the morning and pretty much stay out all day without our parents worrying about us and would check in usually for meals and then back out again and we were always safe. At school bullying wasn’t the epidemic it has become, the worst that could happen then was a fight between only two people or if someone really wanted to ruin you they wrote or carved something on the wall of a bathroom stall but no one had the stamina or interest to run all over the city doing it, it just wasn’t worth it.
The implementation of social media has both good and bad aspects and as much as it’s great that I can contact a friend halfway across the world without having to pay those ridiculous international phone call rates that there used to be, it also means that we all have access to anyone and everyone at any time and it’s really important to “Be Kind” as much as possible. I’ve always tried to govern myself according to the “Do unto others” golden rule and to give people the benefit of the doubt but when I was watching a “Dr Phil” show the other day (parent/child relationship difficulties) he was referring to his new book “Life Code” which is “The New Rules for Winning in the New World”. I am definitely going to get a copy of this book and knowing his work from previous books I’ve read I’m sure this particular advice and insight is something we can all benefit from no matter where we are in our lives.
What worked in the past no longer does because things have changed so rapidly and to such a degree that we have to educate ourselves to adapt to this new world, it is impossible for our old rules to apply. The importance of this adaptation is imperative to all of those in our lives that we love and care for because everyone reacts differently to negative encounters and how it manifests in their lives are the signs that will alert us to their unhappiness. With those that are closest to us there is also our own intuition that will likely be the 1st alert (the whisper) sign and one that you should never push aside. We all have intuition, gut instinct, inner voice, however you want to refer to it but we inherently know when something is off with someone we love and care for and it is when that radar sounds that you need to start paying attention!
Like I said everyone reacts differently and that manifests in a variety of different ways, it’s just a matter of knowing your loved ones and we all do. Communication is your best defence against the difficulties in life because most of the issues in the forefront these days can result in withdrawing from being present, insecurity and low self-esteem and I don’t think anyone wants to see that happen to someone they love. It doesn’t take a lot to reach someone on a level that can open them up and it starts with honest, compassionate communication.
I hope everyone gets a copy of Dr. Phil’s new book because I think there are some very important life lessons inside that can teach us all to help ourselves and those we love to live happy and contented lives.
We matter and those we love matter.
As much as this new world is all too time consuming and demanding, we embarked on the journeys we are on to make better lives and we are depriving ourselves and those we love of that better life if we aren’t present in the moments that matter.
Shelley Hallmark 