Untapped Re's

This past weekend I was back "home" -- the town where my siblings and I were raised after my parents, my older brother, and I moved from Iowa to California.  A group of us met for two days to sort through, document, digitize and store poster boards, photos, and albums from our elementary school years.  We ended up with five 27-gallon storage bins of items... and accompanying memories!

Several stories were shared as we reminisced about our childhood years and growing up in our close-knit neighborhoods.  Life seemed simpler as beautiful remembrances floated around the "gym" (our former parish hall and the original church building).

What memories are beautiful in your mind?
(Photo:  Purple Carpet along Ocean View Blvd.,
Pacific Grove, CA - Larry Gardepie)

This act of Reminiscing and Remembering caused other Re's to float to the surface:

• Re-connecting with childhood friends.
  
• Re-examining life's choices and decisions.
  
• Reconciling past hurts and misunderstandings.
  

I wondered how often these Re's have gone untapped in my life... that is, until I slow down and Re-capture what is important.

What bridges can you build in difficult situations?
(Photo:  Ocean and Shoreline Meet at Pacific Grove - Larry Gardepie)

One dialogue-related "Re" is the Re-do, the ability to pause a conversation when it goes sideways, talk about what each person is thinking and feeling, and explore what words may have triggered uneasiness in the relationship.  Then, the Re-skill begins:  testing out other word choices which respect the intent of the original conversation and allows each person to listen and understand anew.

This practice of Redo -- doing over -- helps us to tap into a desire to Stay in Relationship, even when difficult conversations need to occur.

Is there a way to move above a situation and see it more clearly?
(Photo: Aerial View of San Diego and Coronado Bridge - Larry Gardepie)

Are there other Re-words that can:

• Improve clarity and understanding?
• Build bridges instead of walls?
• Remind us of our common humanity?
  

What do you think?

Larry Gardepie

Dialogue San Diego Consulting

(click on link for website)