Day 4

Wow, the week is coming to an end fast! But, don't worry, today's challenge lets you take a step back from your hectic life. The goal for today is to spend at least seven minutes chatting with someone, over the phone if you have to, but ideally face to face. 

Photo Credits to '300 Stories' blog

I am one hundred percent a perfectionist and like to feel that in all communication I talk and present myself in the best way possible. The problem though is that 'perfect' conversation isn't possible unless it is mediated through an editable form. As we have all experienced at one time or another, we cannot go back and change something we just said as much as we may want to. I think, in general, we as humans care about our social personae and want to give a good impression to the people around us. I would also argue that the majority of people don't like to be placed in a situation in which we do not feel we have complete control. Both this care for image and fear of vulnerability keep people from putting themselves out there and cause people to hide 'behind screens', relying on mediums that allow themselves shape and perfect their public image. Though I agree that any form of communication is better then none, I do think there is something special about face to face communication and the vulnerability one places oneself in is just part of the 'magic'. 

I have been invested over the past month or so in exploring religion and viewing it from multiple perspectives, giving myself time to reach my own view. Because of this I have been reading a number of books on this topic. Religion is an area that is hugely controversial and if you ever get the change to ask someone questions or just discuss thoughts on the topic you're almost always bound to have an interesting time. I spent at least seven minutes chatting with my dad about different aspects of religion, from the books I have read, and found it to be enjoyable and illuminating. 

Yes, I wasn't always able to explain my thoughts as gracefully as I may have wanted but that in itself added a touch of honesty to the communication, and honesty has a tendency to strengthen one's relationship with others. 

Thanks for the chat,
Z