The tragedy of the recent shootings in Arizona has been on my mind since it happened. I was shocked, then immediately saddened by the loss of precious life.
As of this writing, we still don’t know why the shooting took place. We don’t know if, or how, the vitriol spewed by politicians and broadcasters may have contributed to the event. But, I think we are foolish to believe that the words, and especially the energy, of these people had no effect whatsoever on the killer.
Perhaps Laughner has been unstable for years. It may be that he’s suffered from some kind of psychotic break that could have been treated. But, to say that the anger, hatred and violent metaphors that have been used lately by politicians and political pundits on both sides of the fence had no effect on Laughner’s actions is absurd.
Your Message Isn’t Just What You Say
Think of a recent situation in which you walked into a room and felt an immediate sense of panic or fear. Now, remember walking into a room filled with laughter and smiles.
It’s no secret to psychologists that a patient will take on the mannerisms and style of the therapist. Therapists are also taught that this transference goes both ways, and that they can feel the anger, frustration, or fear of the patient.
Carl Jung talked about the “Collective Unconscious” and firmly believed in the ability of a small group of individuals to alter the consciousness of the entire planet.
And some quantum physicists propose that there exists the ability to communicate across time and space instantaneously on a quantum level.
Any way you slice it, we’re all impacted in some way by the underlying beliefs and feelings of the people to whom we listen. It’s not just the words that make an impact.
You can feel the level of confidence of your interviewee, regardless of what’s on the resume or what he says. You know when someone is trying to pull a fast one on you, even if the words say otherwise.
The politicians who feel victimized by those who point to the angry or violent words they’ve used should be ashamed of themselves. If you spend your time yelling at your kid or teaching him that violence is acceptable, will you be surprised that he turns out to be a violent person?
We communicate with each other through words, images, and body language. We also communicate the underlying feelings we have when we present the verbal or written message. You’ll know what I mean when you consider how you “feel” when you listen to, watch, or read the words of people in powerful positions.
You’ll feel the anger of the person who feels victimized. You’ll feel the remorse of the person who understands his human failings. And, you’ll feel the delight of someone who is truly enjoying life.
These deeper feelings sink in and have an impact on us, whether we’re willing to accept that fact or not. Like gravity, it just is. There’s nothing we can do about it.
I could continue and make a marketing message out of this, but that feels wrong. I’ll just leave you with John Lennon’s words of wisdom…
Imagine there’s no Heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one
Are You Sending the Wrong Message?
As of this writing, we still don’t know why the shooting took place. We don’t know if, or how, the vitriol spewed by politicians and broadcasters may have contributed to the event. But, I think we are foolish to believe that the words, and especially the energy, of these people had no effect whatsoever on the killer.
Perhaps Laughner has been unstable for years. It may be that he’s suffered from some kind of psychotic break that could have been treated. But, to say that the anger, hatred and violent metaphors that have been used lately by politicians and political pundits on both sides of the fence had no effect on Laughner’s actions is absurd.
Your Message Isn’t Just What You Say
Think of a recent situation in which you walked into a room and felt an immediate sense of panic or fear. Now, remember walking into a room filled with laughter and smiles.
It’s no secret to psychologists that a patient will take on the mannerisms and style of the therapist. Therapists are also taught that this transference goes both ways, and that they can feel the anger, frustration, or fear of the patient.
Carl Jung talked about the “Collective Unconscious” and firmly believed in the ability of a small group of individuals to alter the consciousness of the entire planet.
And some quantum physicists propose that there exists the ability to communicate across time and space instantaneously on a quantum level.
Any way you slice it, we’re all impacted in some way by the underlying beliefs and feelings of the people to whom we listen. It’s not just the words that make an impact.
You can feel the level of confidence of your interviewee, regardless of what’s on the resume or what he says. You know when someone is trying to pull a fast one on you, even if the words say otherwise.
The politicians who feel victimized by those who point to the angry or violent words they’ve used should be ashamed of themselves. If you spend your time yelling at your kid or teaching him that violence is acceptable, will you be surprised that he turns out to be a violent person?
We communicate with each other through words, images, and body language. We also communicate the underlying feelings we have when we present the verbal or written message. You’ll know what I mean when you consider how you “feel” when you listen to, watch, or read the words of people in powerful positions.
You’ll feel the anger of the person who feels victimized. You’ll feel the remorse of the person who understands his human failings. And, you’ll feel the delight of someone who is truly enjoying life.
These deeper feelings sink in and have an impact on us, whether we’re willing to accept that fact or not. Like gravity, it just is. There’s nothing we can do about it.
I could continue and make a marketing message out of this, but that feels wrong. I’ll just leave you with John Lennon’s words of wisdom…
Imagine there’s no Heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one