The last One For Tonight

I can't seem to figure out how to make paragraphs on the other posts oh well :-) Stan Cripper (A high school teaching and family and marriage therapist) gave an excellent workshop on improving relationships. Again these are notes and do not do justice for the entire discussion.

*Happiness is the objective and design of our existence.

*"Pride is when we choose our will over God's will" Pres. Benson- Beware of Pride. Lay aside pride. 

Turn life over to God Matt 10:39  "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it".


*Where there is no communication there is no growth. This applies to relationships of boyfriend/girlfriend and God.

*You can't have a good relationship with someone else until you have a good relationship with yourself. 




***The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword. By Marvin J. Ashton-- You should go read the whole thing. Very good. "Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.

None of us need one more person bashing or pointing out where we have failed or fallen short. Most of us are already well aware of the areas in which we are weak. What each of us does need is family, friends, employers, and brothers and sisters who support us, who have the patience to teach us, who believe in us, and who believe we’re trying to do the best we can, in spite of our weaknesses. What ever happened to giving each other the benefit of the doubt? What ever happened to hoping that another person would succeed or achieve? What ever happened to rooting for each other?

It should come as no surprise that one of the adversary’s tactics in the latter days is stirring up hatred among the children of men. He loves to see us criticize each other, make fun or take advantage of our neighbor’s known flaws, and generally pick on each other". 

*Communication Traps to Avoid:
*Not being honest.
*Relying too much on technology (spending too much time online playing games).
*Not making eye contact.
*Limited self-confidence.

**Tips to help**
Show interest and willingness to learn. Ask Questions that invite. Identify and name others feelings (example "I can see you disappointed"). Listen actively. Respond non-defensively when upset. Using I feel____ Because _____ helps bring understanding.