The lack of communication in this country has really sent me over the edge lately. Whether it is political, spiritual, community minded or anything else. Communication is the backbone of any relationship we cherish. I continue to look upon this with love to see where the lacking in the communication stems from. What I find is that it come from a variety of different places.
In looking at these characteristics in others, I look within to see where my lack of communication skills dwell. There are many that I recognize in myself. Sometimes, I just don't feel like going into a long conversation to explain what I really want to communicate. I guess it is just too much energy to say, "Hey I don't feel like talking right now, but this is what I would like to happen/see". Sometimes I am not quite sure how I feel about something, and need to reflect before communication. Whatever the case may be, it only takes a few seconds to express where you are in the world, what your frame of mind is, and that you will communicate later.
In looking at communication, I decided that I wanted to bring up a subject in my HIV community about sharing information with others. I sit on three groups across the state. All these groups advocate for HIV related issues to help reduce disparities, disseminate access to care for all, and advocate/lobby for law changes that directly affect the population that we serve. It is a great group of people who are committed to helping others, and lead by example. We all have a common theme, and work diligently and swiftly to meet the needs of the HIV population across the state of Florida. That being said, I was thinking about president Obama and his mission of having an open door policy, transparent operations, and in general asking for all government to comply with these standards. Some of that has been realized since he has been in office, some have not. But I used his example, and thought, since these three groups have similar missions, why not have the group chairs of the committees come together 3 or 4 times a year to share information, network and use each other to complete the tasks at hand. Sound simple right?
Not so much! It seems that along with the well-meaning intentions that come with the members of each group, also comes the old standard that nobody wants to lose their position or power in the world. That somehow, by sharing information, you no longer have a strong-hold on your place or position. I get that some need to have a title/position to feel complete. I get that we all have our own unique personalities that come sometimes with a lot of baggage. But the goal remains the same. To help others who may not be in a position to help themselves. And beside the personal baggage issues, there were Florida Dept. Of Health issues because one of the groups lobby and they are not allowed to sponsor any type of lobbying.
Good grief! All I wanted was to share information for goodness sakes. Not take your kidney and give it away for donations! Although that's a thought!
In the end, it looks like we are moving forward ever so slowly to combine efforts and generate communication between the groups. Like everything that means something to you, it is either flows easily and freely, or takes some effort to see it to fruition. So I move forward with a little more understanding, because I went within first,to see where the problem was in my own nature. It is easy to do when you take the time to remember it. It's just taking that extra time to look at yourself first, before you judge your brother!
Peace be with you!
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