Relationships and Communication - Finding the Courage to Say What You Should Say Every Single Day

What if you went outside to the flower garden and found your beloved had died of a heart attack? This happened to a client of mine. She was shocked because her husband was so young and apparently healthy.

It would truly be hard to lose someone like that.

After my friend had buried her husband, she told me all she could think about was what she wished she had said to him or done with him.

She spent the next several weeks telling him how much she loved him, how very much she cared . . . in her thoughts and prayers. It was as if she hoped he could hear her.

If she had had some kind of warning, she might have been able to say what was in her heart . . . before it was too late. But so many times there is no warning.

What can we learn from this kind of experience?

Perhaps it can motivate us to think about what we need to tell our loved ones while we have the chance. Sometimes we want to say certain things, but we simply never get around to it. Other times, we wait for the right time, but it never seems to come.

If we ponder our family and love relationships, think about our friends and colleagues, we should ask ourselves, What hasn't been said that we would like to say?"

A Wonderful Communication Habit

I recommend cultivating the habit of digging down deep and speaking from the heart with all your loved ones . . . on a regular basis. If there is anything that needs to be said, say it. Don't wait.

After all, taking the time to communicate with care, concern and honesty is an act of love.

For some people who have a hard time speaking directly from the heart, this is a difficult task. But it is possible to learn. And the more you do it the easier it gets.

To get started, all you have to do is remind yourself that no one in your life is always going to be there. And you never know when the end of a relationship may come. So . . .

Say what you want to say and say it today!

For example, if you think your daughter is doing a great job as a new mother, then say so and be perfectly clear about it. If you're sorry for neglecting her when she was little, sit down over a cup of coffee or tea and tell her. If you've never given your spouse enough credit for the love and devotion they have given you, say it tonight! If you need to apologize to someone, do it! Why wait for tomorrow?

Tips For Shooting Straight From The Heart

1. The best time to tell someone how you feel is when things are going well and there seems to be no reason to say it.

2. Or say it now - now is often the very best possible time.

3. Keep it simple and be sincere.

4. Say it with a smile or a hug.

5. Let your words touch your loved ones in a special way. Give compliments and praise in a sincere but creative way that celebrates this person's life.

6. Don't be afraid to use the word "love," as long as you remember actions speak louder than words!

Saying what you really want to say is usually easier than you think, if you'll just get started.

Ask yourself how many people, who have moved on, do you wish you could talk with again? What would you tell them?

Give it some thought and let that be a guide for talking with the living.

I hope you will let this article serve as a friendly reminder for you to share your innermost loving thoughts and feelings with people on a regular basis. If you practice this wonderful interpersonal skill every day you will never have to wish you had said something . . . you will have exceptionally healthy relationships, and everyone in your life will know how you feel . . . they will feel greatly valued, respected and supported by you!