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The holiday season is upon us. Thanksgiving has just passed and now Christmas and New Years are right around the corner. This is a time when we will meet many more of our friends, acquaintances, and family on a more personal basis. Why is this so important? Very simply, we have become a technologically driven society and don’t seem to have the time to develop that ‘old time relationship’. We communicate with emails, fax, and text messages along with cell phones. Visiting and spending time with others is not something many of the working class seem to make time to do. That is why it is so important that we learn to communicate correctly when we spend this valuable time with the people that are so much an important part of our lives.

“OF ALL THE ‘ATTITUDES’ WE CAN ACQUIRE, SURELY THE ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT AND BY FAR THE MOST LIFE-CHANGING.”

The holidays this year are going to be very special to me. Having had some health challenges I learned quickly that it will be of utmost importance for me to personally give the right amount of attention to those I care about. Although I attempt to do that on a regular basis, the holiday season will open many more opportunities to visit with many people I would not normally see. I am certain that is the case for most of the readers of this magazine. Don’t take your time for granted. Life is short.

“TO RESPOND IS POSITIVE, TO REACT IS NEGATIVE.”

Maw Maw Daigle always had a tremendous lesson for all who came in contact with her. One I remember vividly was how to get your messages across to someone you are speaking to. Many of us wonder if our words are getting ‘listened to’ by the party we are in conversation with. Maw Maw would say, “It’s not WHAT you say that is important but HOW you say it that counts!”

“THE KINDEST THING YOU CAN DO FOR THE PEOPLE YOU CARE ABOUT IS TO BECOME A HAPPY, JOYOUS PERSON.”

As I got older (and wiser) I understood Maw Maw’s philosophy. I had to pay attention to my body language, my eye contact, and the tonality of my voice and realize that the tone of my voice and my facial expressions tell the people I am communicating with much more than the mere words themselves. The tone of your voice, your body language and facial expressions are 95% of your conversation and the words are 5%. A smile can go a long way for someone that may have had a bad week or day. Always travel with your smile. When you see someone who doesn’t have a smile…..give them yours. That alone may be the one moment that person needs to lift their spirit for the remaining of their day.

In communicating in an effective manner you do not need to have Webster’s Dictionary memorized with a huge technical vocabulary. Just remember to listen attentively to your party and learn to respond vs reacting, taking your time to communicate effectively. Remind yourself regularly (almost daily), “It isn’t what you say….It’s how you say it that matters.” The manner in which you communicate verbally and with your body language will enhance your words that you are saying. They can also do just the opposite from the words you are trying to deliver. Be careful in the manner you communicate.

“LOOK FOR THE GOOD IN EVERY PERSON AND EVERY SITUATION. YOU WILL ALMOST ALWAYS FIND IT.”

Another very important item of communication I learned from Maw Maw was the significance of eye contact. Maw Maw was always quoted as saying, “Beware of the individual who speaks to you with no eye contact and instead looks down at their shoes or away from you staring into space.” Have you ever met anyone like that? I am certain you would remember them if you did or vice versa…..they would remember you if you were the one staring off into space. That isn’t too inspiring or respectful, is it?

Eye contact will emphasize the point that you are interested in what that person has to say and will establish trust with the ones you are involved with in conversation. Keep in mind there is another end of the spectrum of eye contact. You don’t want to stare continuously while speaking to someone without ever taking your eyes off them as you will make them uncomfortable. Know when the other person’s conversation is complete to look another direction momentararily . Use a little common sense.

“BE HELPFUL!! WHEN YOU SEE A PERSON WITHOUT A SMILE, GIVE THEM YOURS.”

Another form of powerful communication is the universal language of laughter. It is a cardiac workout, an immune builder, a muscle relaxer, increases blood flow, and will dissolve any communication barriers that may be present. Don’t be afraid of laughing and try to always keep a smile. These are essential elements of emotional health. Laughter is a mood altering drug that could change the complexion of any conversation. It builds teams, creates wonderful thoughts, energizes, and helps focus. Before you know it, the infectious mood of laughter will fill a room with sounds and motions of people having fun and communicating.

This holiday season can be the best time of the year for you to show how much you care by communication effectively. Use laughter, smiles, and eye contact while practicing your listening skills and look for the New Year to be a very successful one for you.

Remember to smile while you visit mentally with your DREAMS, laugh out loud when you think of FAIRY TALES, and before you know it……MIRACLES will happen. That is a promise.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! And remember to always Keep Punching!

We, at the Acadian, wish all of you a very happy holiday season!! Write us with any suggestions or comments. Kerry will do his very best to answer any and all of your questions and is available for speaking engagements for your organization, club, or company.