Living in a country where I don’t speak the language at all, I find myself back in the presence of humans on a more primitive level than when the spoken language is part of the communication.  Body language, sensing, watching all become heightened not unlike most animals in a herd or natural state in the wild.  Years of training horses have sharpened these tools, but I don’t always have them on full flame with humans, since words are generally used so easily.  In the past, I have also been transplanted to places where verbal communication was at the rubbing two sticks together to make fire level, so it isn’t unfamiliar.  At first people may feel nervous or frightened by not being able to communicate directly, but the good news is we all share the basic essentials of humanism:  two legs, a brain, emotions, need for food/water, etc. so no matter how different it looks from the outside there is a common thread.

Here is a simple, well stated article about some of the basics of communication.  Sometimes, our mental capacity creates a break in the communication that isn’t always useful.

Building Relationships Through Communication

Building and maintaining a strong relationship is one of the most complicated challenges humans encounter in life. Couples often find themselves in relationships that they swear will last forever and will be the focal point of their lives, but sometimes, just as quickly as they build these relationships up the flame can just as easily die out. In a number of cases, it just dies out without warning. However, there are several keys to maintaining a healthy relationship and ensuring the best for two people in a relationship. One of these major keys in a healthy and stable relationship is having effective communication with each other.

When it comes to any relationship, communication is a vital key. Whether it may be a simple friendship or a long lasting marriage, no relationship can survive without healthy communication between both parties involved. One of the most important, but least practiced aspects to better communication is listening. Most of the time one party hears what the other person is saying. However, there is a big difference between simply hearing what the other person is saying and listening with a genuine interest and comprehension to that person. Showing interest can go a long way in earning a partner’s confidence. Simple compassion and inquiry about whatever someone happens to be talking about can go a long way in building a comfort level and familiarity between two people.

 

Communication

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/62703117@N08/57020975…

Trust is by far the most important building block to a healthy relationship. Without trust, there is no successful communication. Many people claim or think that they trust others. However, deep down most human beings there exist some paranoid thoughts and doubts about their partners. One must overcome these doubts and genuinely trust their partner in order to build a foundation for a truly healthy relationship. Another key in building trust is to ensure the relationship is as open as possible. Partners should never consider any part of their day too confidential to share. With a more open book feeling to the relationship, there is less mystery involved. In turn, this leaves less room for hostile or paranoid doubts.

One of the hardest times to maintain respectful communication is during disagreements, or in more extreme situations, heated arguments. It is perfectly normal for two people to disagree on issues on a regular basis. That is the beauty of being human and an absence of these differences would be abnormal and unhealthy. The important thing regarding these situations is how they are handled. Keeping an open mind about the other person’s point of view and outlining your perspective is the most effective way of diffusing conflicts. When two parties cannot agree on an issue, and obviously not likely to happen in some instances, compromise is the fairest solution. Each side will have to meet part of the way. Respect for the other person will keep most relationships from going sour.

While most people enter, relationships without the intention of it ever failing, inevitably several relationships do not work out. Building a strong foundation of communication, trust and respect should ensure that two people get the most out of their relationship and avoid it from ending on bad terms.

2011 Moira G. Gallaga ©

(Video included in original article.)