So recently I've realised a major problem I have. I would clasify myself as someone who listens quite well to whatever people say, but after a good job of listening to people, I always make the same mistake. I relate the person's problem to one of my own.
Like, someone may talk about a time when they have had a fallout with a family member, and they have said something they now regret. Instead of just leaving it at that, acknowledging their feelings and encouraging them to do what they want to, I always give an example of when something similar happened to me, and I think it's a problem.
Sure on occasion giving an example is a good thing, but I'm not here to fix people's problems, I'm here to help them out as best I can without making them feel like they are obligated to do something.
The truth is that I don't want people to fix my problems, so why do I continue to try and fix other people's problems? Perhaps it is one of those things that irritates you in others that can be found within yourself.
So, from now on I shall do my best to not fix but rather just support and listen. I won't try and take away from other people's experiences but rather acknowledge their emotions and support their decisions.
At this stage I would like to apologise to anyone I may have offended. I did not mean to imply that your problem is meaningless, or that you are wrong. I was merely trying to help you, which I now see may have been the wrong way to do it. I hope you can forgive me.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment