Some people say, "How are you?" Others say, "It's been a long time, nice to see you again!" Still others may say, "Wow, we've missed you! How have things been?"
Any of those would have been nice.
Any of those would have been nice.
Let me back the train up a bit. Kacy and I had been attending a church for a few years, when she started to attend less frequently. She has a couple of chronic health conditions that can make mornings really difficult for her. So she often had to miss attending Sunday morning services, especially after our daughter was born.
One day we were out running some errands when we ran into one of the members of the church in a parking lot. We waved and walked up to her to say hello. She turned to Kacy and asked, "Where have you been??"
As I was saying earlier . . . Some people say, "How are you?" Others say, "It's been a long time, nice to see you again!" Still others may say, "Wow, we've missed you!"
Nope, Kacy got, "Where have you been?"
I suppose we should have given her the long story of all of the challenges Kacy had faced and how we felt it lucky that Kacy even felt good enough to run errands that day. But then, we were in such shock that we just smiled nervously and went on our way. Listen, I know this person has a great heart and devoted herself to serving others in ways that many people don't do. But on this day, that's not what she showed to Kacy.
After studying how people communicate, I can tell you that sarcasm is often a relationship killer. I know its a snarky world and all, where it seems the more cutting the remark the better, but does anyone ever like being on the receiving end of sarcasm and snark? Do you like having the jokes be at your expense?
I am a realist and I know that sarcastic comments are going to flow at times, especially among friends and family and those you know really well. And we would all do well to have a healthy sense of humor and be able to laugh at ourselves more often than not. But we would also do well to tread lightly with snark and sarcasm directly aimed at someone you're talking to.
Your words have power! You have the ability to encourage, motivate, and energize the people around you, or you can suck the life out of them. Which one would you rather do?
If you are looking improve the relationships in your life, save your sarcasm ammunition for the celebrities, politicians and the Lakers. But when you're tempted to fire a round of snark at the people in your life, consider "holding your fire."
As I was saying earlier . . . Some people say, "How are you?" Others say, "It's been a long time, nice to see you again!" Still others may say, "Wow, we've missed you!"
Nope, Kacy got, "Where have you been?"
I suppose we should have given her the long story of all of the challenges Kacy had faced and how we felt it lucky that Kacy even felt good enough to run errands that day. But then, we were in such shock that we just smiled nervously and went on our way. Listen, I know this person has a great heart and devoted herself to serving others in ways that many people don't do. But on this day, that's not what she showed to Kacy.
After studying how people communicate, I can tell you that sarcasm is often a relationship killer. I know its a snarky world and all, where it seems the more cutting the remark the better, but does anyone ever like being on the receiving end of sarcasm and snark? Do you like having the jokes be at your expense?
I am a realist and I know that sarcastic comments are going to flow at times, especially among friends and family and those you know really well. And we would all do well to have a healthy sense of humor and be able to laugh at ourselves more often than not. But we would also do well to tread lightly with snark and sarcasm directly aimed at someone you're talking to.
Your words have power! You have the ability to encourage, motivate, and energize the people around you, or you can suck the life out of them. Which one would you rather do?
If you are looking improve the relationships in your life, save your sarcasm ammunition for the celebrities, politicians and the Lakers. But when you're tempted to fire a round of snark at the people in your life, consider "holding your fire."
