Yes, there is power in the spoken word. But, most of us aren’t AWARE of what we say, how we say it, and how it affects every aspect of our lives. Too often we get into bad habits and say whatever pops into our heads without thinking. Good communicators are aware of what they say, how they say it, and how well they listen. Talking is possibly the smallest piece of the communication puzzle. It’s important to choose words carefully and wisely, to listen to yourself, to be clear and concise, to be aware of what you say, and to show respect for the listener. Nonverbal messages are more powerful than the actual words we speak. We’ve all heard, “It’s not so much what is said, but how you say it.” Ask yourself if your body language matches the message you want to share. Pay attention to facial expression, hand gestures, and eye contact. Perhaps the most important aspect of healthy communication is listening. The Greek philosopher Epictetus says, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” A good listener maintains eye contact, gives full attention to the speaker, is able to paraphrase what is heard, asks open ended questions, and shows encouraging body language. A common mistake is to begin formulating your answers before the speaker finishes talking. Being a good listener shows respect. To ensure you don’t fall into the rut of ineffective communication, pay attention to your words, body language and listening skills. Learn about Assertive communication, the benchmark for healthy relationships. Assertiveness means expressing your feelings, beliefs, and ideas without infringing on the rights of others. When we are assertive, we are honest, direct, and respectful. We talk about our feelings and state the facts instead of aggressively blaming others or acting as doormats for their aggressive behavior.
There are many public and bank holiday during the year, but my favourite one is certainly New Year. Each year on the 31st of December we see the old year off and the New Year in.
For most people it’s the start of something new, of the new page in their life. In this sense, I’m not an exception. I know that English people create a list of New Year resolutions and I think it’s a good tradition. Each culture has its own unique way of celebrating this holiday.
As I live in Central Russia I can tell about the traditions and customs of my region. It is usually rather cold and snowy here at this time of the year. Starting approximately from the 25th of December we have two-week school holidays. My parents also have several days off to celebrate New Year and Christmas. All families put up fir- or pine-trees at their houses. We prefer to buy a pine-tree and richly decorate it.
On the New Year’s Eve my mother cooks special tasty dishes, including my favourite salad with corn and crab sticks. It’s my father’s responsibility to prepare a chicken or turkey stuffed with rice.
On the 31st of December my grandparents visit us and all together we sit around the festive table. Sharp at midnight we listen to the President’s speech and congratulations. Then we toast to the New Year and eat as much as we like.
In the morning I check whether Father Frost brought me presents. All the presents are usually placed under the New Year tree. The next few days we visit our close relatives and friends to wish them Happy New Year and to exchange presents.
Time flies quickly. In a few days it’s again time to go to school and to get back to daily routine.
