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Gifts that cost nothing
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Sarah Maguire, our CEO, this week reflects in her Friday vlog that gifts can come in many forms...
Hello, it's Friday once again and the vlog this week is called ‘Gifts that cost nothing’. Gifts come in many shapes and sizes. Some are wrapped up with a bow, and others are in plain paper. Some gifts come with a lot of thought and care and others are well meaning but maybe a little rushed and last minute.
Gifts can be more than just physical objects and presents. The way we choose to be with one another, the things we choose to give of ourselves to other people are also gifts. Think about the people you like to spend time with, or those you feel that help you in some way. What do they give you that others don’t? For me I think part of the answer lies in being heard or listened to.
Someone called Dr Michael Nichols, who is a psychologist from Cambridge University says if we pay attention to the words we use, and the way we use them, we improve our relationships with other people. When we give other people the gift of our attention and empathy, it makes people feel more understood and they become more open to listening to what’s on your mind. This is sometimes called compassionate communication, which is about speaking to other people without blaming them and finding ways to be honest with people, but in a kind and compassionate way.
We find ourselves balancing so many things in this modern life – work, home, family, friends. Giving each other the gift of empathy can help us through the most challenging of situations.
Have a good weekend. Bye.
What matters?
In her Friday vlog this week Sarah Maguire, our CEO, reflects on how two little words can make all the difference…
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