Maelshevek

Was it like an episode of The Office?

Our marriage therapist had us do a communication thing where, after each person said something, we would say: “here’s what I heard”. This helped eliminate a lot of miscommunication. We also were told to state clearly: “I want X”. This eliminates ambiguity and ensures that we’re on the same page.

Lastly, staying on point and talking about things in bite sizes. If the conversation goes off topic, acknowledge what was said and request a return to the subject. Keeping talking points short allows the other person to understand more easily. It also allows them to say “I heard Z” faster / with less ambiguity.

“I” statements like “when this happens I FEEL” are also very important. Knowing how we feel and communicating that to others is just as important as the methods used. And this all took me years of learning and growing and practicing. I’m still maybe 50% there, but it’s made a big difference.

Honestly, how do you feel about politicians holding your jobs hostage to get their way? What do you think we should do about it? Do you think that a government shutdown is ever a viable solution?

The last place used bullying and intimidation to try to force change. Humiliation is a terrible tactic that ends up hurting people in the long term, along with a lack of proportional punishment. That was flat out abuse.

Nobody deserves what they did to you, because it was completely unjust.

We expect to be treated in a way that mirrors both our mistakes and good behavior.

At the end of the day, does it matter if it’s 10,000 or 100,000? I agree that he may have his facts wrong, but it’s not justified to lock up/detain/whatever millions of people. It’s not a proportional or just response to the problem.