Gentle- August Edition

Welcome to Friday and August. I feel like Friday was slow in coming and August zoomed right on in here. Regardless, it is time for the weekend and time for us to get a new focus area for being Gentle

This month let’s focus on being Gentle with the framing of other’s actions. Do you remember how on television shows they will sometimes do an episode where each character shares their viewpoint of the same situation. And each time the narrator becomes the hero. The character telling the store shines the most light on them and their compassionate or heroic actions.

Recently, I heard separately from two different people as they gave their account of the same situation. It really is fascinating. As one relayed the events to me they used a raised voice, sharp language and excessive negative body language to demonstrate the other person. Then when they relayed their part in the story their voice was calm, soft and demure. It was literally night and day.

I was sure the truth was somewhere in the middle.

But isn’t it interesting how someone we like, admire, get along with can say, “where did you get that outfit” and we hear it as a compliment and genuine curiosity. While another person who we feel negatively about, have no respect for or just wears on our nerves can says “where did you get that outfit” and we frame it as them being critical, sassy and mean. I mean it is all the same words but we often assign tone based on our feelings about the speaker.

This month let’s soften the frame by which we view others. Let’s douse every situation in grace. Let’s marinate every situation in the benefit of the doubt. Let’s wrap everything in assuming the best intentions. Maybe just maybe our Gentle framing of other’s actions will allow for more communication, harmony and improved relationships.

Go into situations and conversations with your mind made up to be Gentle in framing the actions of others.

Wishing you the best weekend.