Compassionate Communication

If you notice a change in a person’s demeanor or behavior, softly ask them about it, for they may reveal exactly why the change has taken place, and once the reason has been revealed, the two of you can work together to solve the problem. 

For real understanding between two people to occur, the two must be willing to go to the deepest depths of the problem. Addressing the symptoms alone doesn’t necessarily cure the cause, but addressing the cause surely cures the symptoms, and it is the cause that runs deepest. 

It takes courage to work your way down to the depths of a problem, and will often lead you to places that are uncomfortable and painful. It is no feat that can necessarily be accomplished in an afternoon of writing or talking, but one that unravels itself through taking repeated stabs at understanding yourself and the situation you find yourself in. 

The interaction you share with the other person can drastically improve your ability to understand and work towards solutions for any given problem, by means such as sharing each other’s perspective on the situation with one another, or by asking questions to help clarify and express each other’s thoughts and feelings.

Through this process there lies an element of faith in that whatever happens as a consequence of openly communicating your feelings and emotions, and by telling the truth, even if that truth may hurt those you care about, is the best possible thing that could happen.