Good Morning, God!
Icebergs? Did You wake me up, God to talk about ICEBERGS?
It feels as if You woke me up to have me see — just how FAR from what I “intend” — my words and deeds may extend. Yes, as in an iceberg!
So, I’m thinking — if the TIP of the iceberg is my verbal output — then there is 90% that I don’t see or hear . That would be my tone of voice, my facial expressions, my body’s stance and gestures. In this aerial photo of an iceberg I can see that the iceberg doesn’t just extend down — it extends OUT to the sides. Beware to passing ships — or people!
And that takes me back to Watzlawick’s Communication Axiom #2: Every communication has a content aspect and a relationship aspect such that the latter classifies the former and is therefore a meta-communication.” Put more simply, the RELATIONSHIP we have with someone will “determine” how we understand the CONTENT of what is said or done.
Or, God, to continue on with the metaphor — the iceberg is my CONTENT but it floats in a sea of RELATIONSHIPS. Hmm. So, God, maybe MORE BASIC than my desire to AFFIRM is the question of what sort of sea does my iceberg float in? A SEA of RESPECT? Or a Sea of Judgement?
Does that mean that my desire to affirm those around me must BEGIN with my entering into an “Assumption of Respect” Relationship toward them? Hmmm. I need Your Help, God!
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