ADULT TO ADULT COMMUNICATION
Aug
1
LEARNING TO MAKE IT HEART TO HEART
This chart was created with what I learned with Thomas Gordon’s PARENT EFFECTIVENESS TRAINING class we organized in our home. In the 1970s we used a lot of “You Language” or talking from the “Parent” and that brought a response from the “Child” in our girls.
I remember one day saying, “Lynette, I feel ‘sad’ that you were so rude.”
She shot back, “Oh Mom, don’t use that stuff on me!” But she didn’t get mad and we learned to not express as much judgementalness.
Today, I am learning more than just picking a “feel word” from a list, communicating and learning with myself. As I explained in a previous blog, I am an “adult” with a Parent-Adult-Child inside me. My own “Parent” is consulting mentors like Agapi to give me ideas for taking care of the Child within me.
Today July 2022, my brother-in-law is in the hospital and may be taking his last breaths. Four years ago, my husband Sam died. Those of us who loved and still love them have a new path ahead. We are still in uncertainty with the Corona Pandemic and other uncertainties.
Repeating Agapi’s words to myself: I want to exercise my inner muscles to be grounded in my calmness, in difficulties, learning to engage in uncomfortable conversations , in my learning and my joy.
I just made a phone call to our 95-yr-old Aunt. She is home and available for a visit. I’m taking our dog, Suki, and I’m using my “Golden Key of Therapy” - TALKING!
