A few years ago, an extraordinary (and Tony-winning) composer said to me and a small group of other hungry theatre-artists, "the best thing you can do, is learn how to communicate your thoughts and ideas effectively."
The goal is connection. How can use language to truly connect with the people around us? How do we share thoughts and ideas in a way that they land?
Someone gave me a compliment after the show last night. For me, a compliment is short-lived. A compliment will come and go, leaving my ego satiated for about as long as my stomach is after Chinese take-out. I don't mind though. It keeps me humble. But last night, someone graciously and generously took the time to express it in a way that seeped through the shell of my ego, and landed in the belly of my soul. It will be there for a while.
These are the days of auto-correct and emoticons. Who doesn't love a happy face? But I was reminded that we can't forget the power of deliberate word choice. We cannot be uncomfortable with the extra time and awkwardness it may take to find the right words. Lets choose "words that shimmer" (to borrow from my favorite podcast, OnBeing). Choose words that illuminate and uplift. Connect. Don't be fooled by technology. We are all we have.
What was the compliment you received that night? If you don't mind sharing it with us.
-Dean
Posted by: Dean Grey | 01/06/2016 at 10:30 AM