Clarity in communication is always necessary since we understand concepts differently and contexts vary. Even after 37 years of marriage, my husband and I need to clarify meanings sometimes and not assume we understand what the other understands by the same thing. You've touched on an important issue!
a cathartic commentary on the nature of miscommunication, john. i wonder if the habit of “talking past people” can be extended to “writing past people” in this time of social media marathon threads. may we all learn to listen (and read) with the intent to understand rather than respond.
I had an exchange where the person asked how I was and I replied that I was in the midst of a couple of challenges and explained a bit. Then I asked how they were. Their response was that they were glad things were going well for me, they were fantastic, all was working out, and life couldn't be better. I'm not sure they ever really read what I said. Plus, I'm also not sure their response wasn't covering up the fact things weren't actually going great for them and they just wanted it to appear that way. We get wrapped up in our lives and don't really connect because of it. Or we feign connection. 🤷♀️ At some point we have to look deep inside and be honest with ourselves so we may have honest connections with others.
A different topic indeed. This happens with everyone.
I have also realised that people can mean something different in a common conversation, but also can ignore the conversation totally inspite of being direct face to face .
That line — “two different conversations wearing the same words like ill-fitting clothes” — stopped me. I’ve lived that too: thinking I’m being clear, only to realize we’re standing on different ground entirely. It’s painful, how easily meaning slips between people who care, how quickly words turn into walls when they were meant to build bridges.
Your reminder to slow down, to ask what someone means before reacting, feels like more than communication advice — it feels like compassion in practice. Sometimes the kindest thing we can do is pause long enough to check the dictionary between us.
“Same words, different worlds.” That’s half of what breaks us — and what could save us, if we learned to listen.
Clarity in communication is always necessary since we understand concepts differently and contexts vary. Even after 37 years of marriage, my husband and I need to clarify meanings sometimes and not assume we understand what the other understands by the same thing. You've touched on an important issue!
Beautifully said, Ella, that’s such a great example. Clarity really is a lifelong practice. Even love needs translation sometimes.
Really enjoyed reading this and it hit close to home💯❤️❤️❤️
Thank you!
Just listening to your podcast👏👏👏
Thank you very much 🙏🤗✌️
a cathartic commentary on the nature of miscommunication, john. i wonder if the habit of “talking past people” can be extended to “writing past people” in this time of social media marathon threads. may we all learn to listen (and read) with the intent to understand rather than respond.
well said !
I had an exchange where the person asked how I was and I replied that I was in the midst of a couple of challenges and explained a bit. Then I asked how they were. Their response was that they were glad things were going well for me, they were fantastic, all was working out, and life couldn't be better. I'm not sure they ever really read what I said. Plus, I'm also not sure their response wasn't covering up the fact things weren't actually going great for them and they just wanted it to appear that way. We get wrapped up in our lives and don't really connect because of it. Or we feign connection. 🤷♀️ At some point we have to look deep inside and be honest with ourselves so we may have honest connections with others.
Well said. 🙏🤗✌️
Such insight! I'm gonna lock this into my brain gaps, for sure! I love it!
Thank you Mary!!!
A different topic indeed. This happens with everyone.
I have also realised that people can mean something different in a common conversation, but also can ignore the conversation totally inspite of being direct face to face .
True… We are not spending enough time listening because we are too thinking about what’s next.
We are all In our own world filled with complexities . Complications, to be sorted out
That line — “two different conversations wearing the same words like ill-fitting clothes” — stopped me. I’ve lived that too: thinking I’m being clear, only to realize we’re standing on different ground entirely. It’s painful, how easily meaning slips between people who care, how quickly words turn into walls when they were meant to build bridges.
Your reminder to slow down, to ask what someone means before reacting, feels like more than communication advice — it feels like compassion in practice. Sometimes the kindest thing we can do is pause long enough to check the dictionary between us.
“Same words, different worlds.” That’s half of what breaks us — and what could save us, if we learned to listen.
Thank you! Always seek to understand before you are understood...
Pause, ask, listen. This is what I have been doing for a while down. Great words! Communication is a difficult area for many.
Well said. 🙏✌️