I’ve been binge watching a ridiculous amount of TV lately, and none of it has been comedy shows. I recognized that one theme is overwhelmingly obvious, and it is as true in real life as it is on television:
The lack of honest and respectful communication is a catalyst for disaster.
Lack of communication is the fuel for many plot lines on TV and the big screen- all of which lead to chaos, trouble, heartache and other negative life experiences.
The same applies in real life.
Hence the phrase, “When life imitates art”.
On television shows, the miscommunications are usually satisfactorily resolved by the end of the episode. That’s pretty darn quick, since a 30-minute sitcom is approximately 22 minutes (without commercials), and an hour-long program is really only about 37-42 minutes.
If they really want to stretch it out, it might span two or even three episodes. Any longer than that and viewers are often frustrated and disgusted with one or more characters and their unwillingness to confess, apologize, explain or communicate in a way that allows everyone to move forward in peace and reconciliation.
Unfortunately, these rapid resolutions are rarely the case in real life.
Here’s a sad truth: We see it as plain as day when it plays out on TV or the big screen. We easily recognize it in the life of someone we know who is in the midst of a struggle. Unfortunately, we are not so quick to see it when it is happening in our own life.
Ok, brief segue, but I promise it meshes with this topic…
It’s about my current TV addiction.
I’m currently binge-watching an old TV series called Grimm with a friend. We’re obsessed with watching the relationship between the main character (Nick) and his girlfriend (Juliette).
You see, Nick is keeping a BIG secret from Juliette, and his unwillingness to tell her (followed by her unwillingness to listen and believe him when he finally *does* try to tell her), is the cause of SO MANY PROBLEMS in their relationship and lives.
It’s ridiculous the number of times that one of us has yelled at the screen, “Just TELL her!”
One opportunity after another presents itself and each time, he decides that NOT communicating is the better choice.
I talk about this a lot – the important of communicating. Having hard conversations.
Yes, it can be awkward.
Yes, it requires that you make yourself vulnerable to rejection, because maybe they are not ready, willing or able to have that conversation.
But if you can do it, you’ll find it can be so LIBERATING.
Open the door to conversation with something as simple as, “Let’s talk about <fill in the blank> “. It can be the first step to bringing people closer together, resolving conflicts and mending broken relationships.
But in order to do that, you have to be willing to recognize that a lack of communication is a wall. Where there’s a wall, build a door. It’s easy to get started. Not sure where to begin?
“Let’s talk about it. “
