Of Good Conversation

I had the pleasure of talking with a dear friend tonight and we both gravitated to a simple point. It was so refreshing to talk to another person who not only thought, but observed life and wanted to learn more of it's various aspects.

I'm going to put the one-liners and movie quotes to the side for this entry and focus on the intellectual side, something I rarely let out.

Our discussion ranged from why people are the way the are, what influences the disturbed mind, to how much society has changed in the past several years. To really talk openly and earnestly about those things was like sipping a fine wine, savoring each moment for what it was, and gleening enjoyment from it. I even learned a few things about other people's perspectives, and the delicate art of conversation sans the modern competetive overtones that tend to irritated those involved. This was truly an open and positive exchange just about life.

To those who've experienced it, good conversation is rare, and you often walk away a better and more aware person. To those who haven't, it's difficult to relate to, and appears snobbish, even grating on one's insecurities.

Here's what I've ultimately learned and what I'm STILL working on:

• Be open to the topic with careful regard to your own and others limitations.
• Listen, don't just wait for your turn to talk.
• Don't compete. The idea is to talk with someone, not win a meaningless prize or contest.
• Share your experiences in a way that others can relate to.
• Say a lot with a little. Great depth and meaning can come from just a couple sentances.
• A little humor now and then never hurts.
• Do something useful and positive with the knowledge gained.

Am I full of myself here? No. Do have an ego or attitude? No. Am I attempting to pass on some good and valuable info that chain reaction some positive things in various aspects of life? Yes.

As always, thank you to all who indulge my quirky creativity and random inspiration. If it brightens your day or brings a smile, or even causes you to do something that ultimately benefits the world, I am fullfilled as an artist and content as a person. :)