Tip #18 "Nobody cares what you know until they know that you care."

Tip #18 "Nobody cares what you know until they know that you care."

I will never forget some advice that a dad gave me once..."A hug can solve the majority of a child's emotional angst."

Just last week our oldest daughter, youngest daughter, and our son were emotionally upset about something. I said "Would you like a hug?" "Yeaaaah". Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. They knew that I cared.

I think that a hug with a spouse, child, friend, or even a stranger goes a long long way. It shows that we care a lot more than the endless blather that I am prone to. Why do I think I am so wise? Ha. I am not.

I am guilty of sharing suggestions with people that have no desire to know what I think about their situation. They just want to know that I care. Have you ever felt that way? I feel that way more often than I care to admit. :-)

I like to help people. I think that is a good thing. But, if the people I want to help do not want help than I cannot help them nor can anyone else. So, it is good to offer. But, if it is met with a bitter response I have found it much better to just listen(though I struggle with this too). Then, these folks know I care.

Most people(including myself) would rather talk than listen. But, true listening shows that we care. When people know that we care they are usually open to hearing what we have to say. I know that the mentors in my life do not call me daily, send me multiple emails, and harrass me to no end trying to help me. They wait for me to ask them. This way, I am hungry and open to learn. They have learned to not "cast their pearls on swine". Why give a beautiful string of pearls to a pig to wear? That would be silly. Wouldn't it?

Let's agree to drop the baggage in our lives by not casting our "wisdom" on people until they know we care. This way, we are all ready for stronger relationships.

Tip #18 "Nobody cares what you know until they know that you care."