FOR OUR OWN GOOD

 

CONVERSATION

Conversation is an informal activity. It provides enough opportunity to grasp others’ points of view and style of expression. But, the opportunity rests on the group into which we enter. Obviously, people from different settings make a better team than those formed by members of like setting and age. Strangely, members of different age groups or social settings do not come together easily. So, one has to consider mingling with members of slightly higher age, as to be in a position to learn faster. There will be restrictions precluding the chance; an attempt to get into such groups is wiser than staying in peer-rich grouping. Though a little degree of freedom may have to be foregone, keeping company with elder groups can help learning expressions faster. It would be better, if such a group is comprised of persons from different language backgrounds.  The spirit of the suggestion is to look for opportunities of learning different forms of expression, as each language has a culture of usages. These reflect in the framing of statements and in the art of employing the vocabulary.

If we happen to get in touch with voracious readers, chances are we can find more avenues of learning, spread over an expanse of knowledge domain. So, the idea of ‘conversation’ is not chatting; rather it is an occasion to learn better ways of expressing ideas. In the final analysis, we are clearly perceived if our ideas are laid out with ease and comfort.  The general trend of indifference to finer aspects of expression is an impediment to ascension, as in official circles, talent of expression counts the most. Those who have managed to stay abreast of language skills are the most sought after and are held in esteem by the authorities. Those who have not equipped themselves with such niceties, tend to brush aside the skilled ones; but inevitably turn to them for help on hours of demand. Therefore, occasions of conversation must be utilized to learn and cultivate sophisticated expressions to perfection. Conversations carry the innate advantage of warding off inhibitions that shroud all formal interactions. Formalized schedules are far less permissive than are conversations.

PICKING UP SKILLS                                                 

Life is a theatre full of opportunities to groom or doom one self.  Yes, the choice rests with the individual. Like in a drama, things unfold ‘later’, by which time the individual is too committed to change course. Pursuing the right course is a superior option to attempting mid-course corrections. My earlier reference to ‘decision-making’ [through analysis and evaluation] holds answers to such predicaments, if we stick to objective assessment. So, the first ever skill to be acquired relates to analysis-based evaluation. It comes by getting to details that may not meet the eye. Yes, it is a process of going beyond the face value. Objectivity requires deciphering the intent as much as the content. It is a skill vested in humans to read all information deep. Those who avail of this skill stand better chances of reading things clearly. Grooming the young minds to ‘process’ information in an objective way is the strategy for all life. Children have enough skills to observe and learn; elders should avoid interpreting ideas and bias the thinking of kids. The kids may err in judgment to start with; soon they would come to terms with items of immediate relevance to them.  Permitting them to tumble and gather themselves up is the exercise of learning by trial. Things personally learnt last longer and serve reminders to avoid pitfalls of judgment.

Having said so, it stands to logic to suggest what the parents need to do. Every parent wishes that the child comes up good in life. So, monitoring the child for his or her associates on or off school is essential. Often it is the social company that shapes taste, attitude and disposition. Personal skills must be ably supported by positive attitudes – helping others or reaching out. These need inculcation from childhood. At this juncture, it is relevant to consider the aspects of learning that hold the key to skill-building.