Reading between the texts
Posted by Intuition Girl
Personally, I have found texting to be a fast and effective way to shoot a quick message via my mobile phone. Whether I am on the go or just cramped for time, it gives me the freedom to respond to my emails or to send someone a short note on what I am doing at the moment. I have discovered, however, that mobile to mobile texts, as well as tweets, posts, or modern-day social networking by any other name has taken on a whole new dimension. In fact, texting has become comparable to letter writing and phone conversations. The major difference, of course, is that much of what we text or message online (via blackberry, iphone or the web, etc.) has become a bit broader in terms of particle length, but more hyperbolic in context. This compels me to ask the following question: When is the last time you had a deep and meaningful conversation?
I recognize that modern technology offers us a plethora of ways to communicate and it has given us quick access to information in real time; but it has also dramatically reduced significant dialog. The quality of our conversation has begun to deteriorate because now with all of the social media networks, we are able to initiate a post or tweet with sound bites, YouTube videos, graphics or article links with short op-ed notes. We can quickly key a little side note stating our thoughts or opinions on a topic and let it ride. That is perfectly fine but it is also frequently a one-sided conversation. But what happens when we begin demoralizing individuals and throwing out personally offensive tidbits? It is absolutely acceptable to agree to disagree in a mature chat, but you have to draw the line when it comes to attacking an individual on a personal level. I have seen a few tweets and posts where I thought, “My goodness, what is that person thinking?” There is a chat acronym that is written, “TMI” – Too Much Information. I personally do not want to read about someone’s intimate life in detail. That is the same as airing dirty laundry for the sake of some distorted sense of gratification.
Remember, we are all entitled to our opinions and the First Amendment guarantees that right to American citizens. We must always take into consideration how our words, deeds or actions can and will affect those around us. Always be prepared to intuitively understand what consequences may unfold when you unleash your opinions, your texts, your messages…each has its own defining moment. Additionally, how you present yourself to the world may not matter much to you, but you have to first matter to yourself so that when you do initiate dialog, you raise the bar not only for yourself but extend an open hand to those around you.
Until we speak again, I am
Joan Marie, your intuition girl
© Copyright - All Rights Reserved
Reading between the texts
By Joan Marie Whelan
About the Author: Joan Marie is the extraordinary lifestyle expert for everyday living. She travels throughout the United States sharing her gifts and her intuitive gifts with solo-preneurs, professionals, small business owners, and large companies. She is the author of: “Self- Discovery: The Nine Principles to Reveal Your Sacred Gifts” which is available through Amazon or our web site. For more information about Joan Marie and her upcoming, exclusive events, please go to: http://www.joanmariewhelan.comand click on Lifestyle Makeover Programs.
What are you really messaging?
Posted by Intuition Girl
Stephen Covey, renowned author of the book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, is quoted as saying, “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” Truer words were never spoken. In fact, it is this type of thinking that a lot of folks are not doing enough nowadays.
Take social media for example. While we may have seen a dramatic upswing in online discussions, we are also beginning to see deterioration in human dialog and empathy. One minute we are reading how a girl just ate a peanut butter sandwich and the next how she was sleeping with a guy for kicks and giggles. How’s that for meaningful conversation?
Now, it is perfectly fine if you choose to broadcast your life online, but remember there are always consequences to your actions and yes, even your words. How you present yourselves to the external world does have its ramifications. No, you do not have to actively choose to live for anyone else, nor must you appease the crowds around you — but it is the company that you attract that may not be in your best interest; nor in the best interest of those that you may be inadvertently or even directly harming with your “messaging” skills; rather, lack thereof.
Covey stated something even more important: “While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” You see, even in brief conversation, “messaging” or “texting” — you may be dropping tidbits of personal (sometimes too personal) information about your lives, lifestyles and the lives of others. In doing so, you condemn both yourselves and sometimes others to a smudged reputation. It is not okay to haphazardly toss personal information about your intimate life because when you do, you are ultimately becoming the cog of the rumor mill. Your ill thought actions can negatively and harmfully impact and damage another human being or group of people. The worst part is that when you do so, you often do not realize the repercussions until the havoc has ensued.
Are you willing to be responsible for your words and your actions? What are you doing today to be the best that you can be? If you participate in malice and personal intrusion, you are becoming the problem yourself.
Think before you speak or act. It may mean the difference between a random act of kindness and a random act of cruelty.
Remember this too: anyone that you persecute today may one day have the last laugh on you.
Until we speak again, I am
Joan Marie, your intuition girl
© Copyright - All Rights Reserved
What are you really messaging?
By Joan Marie Whelan
About the Author: Joan Marie is the extraordinary lifestyle expert for everyday living. She travels throughout the United States sharing her gifts and her intuitive gifts with solo-preneurs, professionals, small business owners, and large companies. She is the author of: “Self- Discovery: The Nine Principles to Reveal Your Sacred Gifts” which is available through Amazon or our web site. For more information about Joan Marie and her upcoming, exclusive events, please go to: http://www.joanmariewhelan.com and click on Lifestyle Makeover Programs.
