Persuade..............

Word of the Day.............. Persuade.....v.,.....to move by argument. We all do it! We try to change someone's mind about something. Whether it be a friend, your child, or the general public, you have, at some point, tried to persuade someone to come around to your way of thinking. Nothing wrong with that....unless it gets vindictive, critical or abusive. I persuade people for a living. Every teacher does. All day we are changing student's minds. Homework, dress, attitude, life...we address these issues daily. Here's the challenge, much like all of your actions, you have to persuade in a manner that isn't offensive. You get NOWHERE doing that. You can not now, or ever, cram your thoughts, feelings or advice down someone's throat and expect to be received with a smile, nod and acceptance. I really think we've turned into an " I'm right and you're wrong" nation. All our social networking has allowed us to become very vocal to an extremely wide circle. It's okay to have opinions, as a matter of fact, we must have opinions. You live your life according to what you think and how you feel. Your opinions are valuable to you and probably to other people. But when we force our thoughts on someone, when we lecture, preach, and harangue, then we lose our effectiveness and we might as well be talking to a wall. Use your words carefully; they reflect who you are. What you put out there doesn't disappear. It doesn't vaporize. It stays with people; it formulates their viewpoint, both of you and you're life. Are you someone to emulate or avoid? Be smart and compassionate.... I promise you you're not right 100% of the time. Sometimes we need to stop and listen to ourselves. Then decide if you like what you see and hear. Maybe, just maybe, you should PERSUADE yourself to alter your method of communication.