“The reality of the other person is not in what he reveals to you, but in what he cannot reveal to you. Therefore, if you would understand him, listen not to what he says but rather what he does not say.”
Kahlil Gibran
Understanding is a powerful thing. I think it’s like putting on the light to be able to see clearly what is going on. When we can make the leap from not just knowing what is happening, to understanding why, then the whole picture changes. There is clarity, choice, power.
This is true for aches and pains in our body, to relationships, to… children.
Let’s take last week. I was in a classroom where 1 of the children was causing great concern to the staff, and frankly frightening some of the other children. He liked telling them what to do, being in control where ever possible and had a collection of behaviours that made him stand out; whistling, humming loudly, sitting on his own at times and rocking gently or quite energetically.
Being around him, watching him play and interact with the others, was fascinating. I understood him. He was making perfect sense for the way he viewed the world…for what has happened to him. His behaviour, demeanour and interactions were totally fluent in his own language…
Being able to help his teacher and TA understand where he is coming from, how he perceives things, why he responds and acts and thinks the way he does, was a privilege. I was a translator; bringing his world to make sense in theirs.
Getting to understand what is going on in the unseen is so often what is needed to help bring change to a situation. Physical and emotional health professionals are translators. There is a duty of care to make sure things are not lost in translation.
1.What do you want to understand more?
2. Do you ensure you get good translation from professionals you visit, so when you leave them you are empowered with clarity?
3. It has been said that “understanding is the wellspring of life…” Does this align with you?
I’d love to know what you think – feel free to comment below.
