‘Hi .. Conversation Changes Lives’ Book Blog
“Hi” is a wealth of information that will encourage you, entice you, to take the first tentative steps to engage with others, to develop a sense of worth in one’s involvement with others, and with the community we share.
I highly recommend this treasure trove of practices, delightful story ‘snippets’, and compelling rationale for conversation. — Ken Annandale, Educator
We welcome your comments, and experiences as you let conversation change your life after reading the book. View a TV feature about Hi or view our entertaining book launch
I have watched a few clips from the Book Launch, and look forward to watching more… it is so lovely to see the energy and excitement around your book and work! Shows how valuable and needed ‘conversations’ are!
Today I was playing pool at Yate-street Taphouse, I was playing against a random guy named Duncan. After a couple sunken shots I decided to ask Duncan, What helped him explore new territories? he asked if I meant physical or mental, but I kept it open to really feel the organic sense of the question.
Duncan’s answer was art and all forms of it. He said art helped him explore new territories because art can help you see things from other peoples eyes, and it is expressed through emotion and creative falsities. We had some back and forth discussion about what art means to me and how that differ from his. We actually had a lot of overlapping idea on what art means according to place. Duncan went on to talk about his trip the to “South” of the United States. He said that writers like Faulkner and Jazz musician shaped his idea of the south. Duncan talked a lot about this creative context that is created but art. Art defines culture and how history will see that culture. I warned him that sometimes an artist can shape your mind too much and your of what a place is and actually is can be vastly different.
Duncan said that art helps him get an idea of a place before you actually see it, which I agree with. art gives you this narrative that is open for further development of this place. at this point, Duncan’s friends came so I could not continue this conversation further. However, my idea of art has definitely solidified more than it was originally.
Further evidence that Conversation Changes Life. Well done.
I’ll tell you what went well. A warm, so friendly book launch during which we all got to hear our own voices, something that we all long to do. I loved the notion that even those of us blessed with near ones, dear ones, need conversations with the outside world to buoy us, sustain us, cheer us.
My first meaningful conversation, inspired by all of this, was with Megs. What a beautiful spirit. Vandalism for kindness, graffiti as an act of outrageous generosity, soul tapped in to the needs of strangers she may never meet, and whose lives she may possibly save, even without ever knowing it. Megan wrote inside a menu, “Be happy.” And on an impulse, she added, “Love Mom”. This time around, she was blessed to actually find out how much this small found message meant to a person who had lost his mom.
Meeting Megan for the very first time, I told her, “This one you found out. You’ll never know how many lives you have saved.”
What’s a recent adventure?
Flying on an airplane can be so many things. . . While flying to New Zealand we had several flights and layovers to make it to Auckland.
One flight stood out in particular, and it was due to the connection with a stranger! I sat next to a person who engaged me in a few delightful and short conversations. She opned by asking if it was the beginnng of a trip for me, or the end. From there we asked many questions, learned about each other, and shared many laughs!
What has helped you explore new territory?
Well, this book has certainly helped me explore new territory. Every conversation you have with another person there is potential to learn something you already did not know. Having conversations with people I have found new bands that I had never heard of before. I have been told about amazing tourist destinations that I have yet to experience, but will hopefully get to in the future.
Last but not least I have made new relationships. One guy, I now meet up to play basketball with, and some others I see at the bus stop or shopping at the local Thrifty’s.
A funny thing is that many people don’t realize these casual relationships are just as important as our day to day ones. In fact, having these lighter, breezier relationships, that stem from having a quick conversation with someone on the street do a lot to build a person’s self-esteem.
The Truth is that the everyday relationships that we get from work, our spouse, and children, and even roommates, wear us down. The simplicity and lightness of casual relationships actually help people stay grounded, and in the end, happier.
This may do the trick for your Book Launch 2 minutes.. Beautiful insights..
Which of these tips has been helpful?
I think one of the most important tips in chapter three is, keep the focus on the other. Often it is so easy to relate what other people are saying to yourself, but it is important to try and avoid that if possible. If you keep relating what they are saying to yourself, it might show that you don’t fully appreciate what they are telling you, or come off as a bit egocentric.
Make an effort to dive deeper into their story, if you follow up with good questions, it shows that not only you are listening, but you are actually interested in hearing about what they have to say. It is easy to respond by saying you have had a similar experience, but go the next step further into asking what made that experience made it so special, or not special for them.
If there is one thing I have learned from the past month is that people do really like talking about themselves. They love getting asked questions, they just have to be in a comfortable and relaxed environment to let it all pour out.
So few people get the experience of responding to a conversation artist.. It’s a totally different experience for them.