Christianity, Communication and Connections.

Christianity, Communication and Connections.

What is communication? Communication is always changing it never stays stagnant. (Meuhlhoff and Lewis 2010 p. 41) Therefore it is difficult to have a definition. Scholars have been trying to define communication for a very long time. However, communication is interpreted by individuals within the communication field. Communication give off a dual function. There is a scientific side to communication as well as an artistic side.

Communication and science

Let's explore the scientific side for a bit. In order for communication to happen between two individuals they have to use their one of the five senses. That sense is hearing, be that as it may hearing is the same as listening. To hear someone is the act of perceiving sound by the ear. (Treuer 2011) Hearing is a natural occurrence unless one is deaf one can hear. (Treuer 2011) Listening on the other hand, requires one to concentrate and use their brain so that one can process to encoded messages from the sender to the receiver. These encoded message have symbols and that only the receiver can decode the symbols within the message to comprehend what the sender is saying. Yet, the sender has to have a close connection to the receiver for the message to be understood. (Meuhlhoff and Lewis 2010 p. 41) Most of problems caused within communication today is because people don't listen instead they hear mumbled sounds Truer. People just assume that when two people are talking they are automatically communicating. (Grohol) According to Grohol “even though talking is a form of communication, if it is about mostly about how the kids are or how is work” it is having mindless conversations avoiding the important topics. (Saksa 2007) According to Grohol there “nine steps-to-better-communication-today”. Some of these steps are as follows:

· we should stop and listen there are time where we rush to keep talking just because we are afraid of not being heard.

· Force yourself to hear- Even though one has stopped talking one's mind is talking. Therefore one is still not hearing what the other is saying. If we catch oneself doing this with another or vice verse we should ask them to rephrase what was just being said. Simply state to the other person I don't think you are hearing me.

· Pay attention to nonverbal signals- “Actions speak louder than words” here. We should be mindful of our body language. Meaning one's eye contact, or the personal space between each other when talking to each other. If we are mindful of the nonverbal signals we give off as well as the person we are talking to we can have better communication among each other.

· Minimize emotions when discussing important issues- When talking about life changing events it is better to leave emotions out of them. Due to the fact that once emotionally charged in a conversation one is no longer thinking rationally and clear.

· Compromise- Instead of arguing over who gets what compromise that way everyone gets what they want and there is no need for arguments.

Communication and art

Communication is a a form of art. It is like a private dance between the sender and receiver that only they understand. It is about two individuals that are on the “same page” or having an understanding between each other and they are comfortable talking with each other. It is not just our actions within our body language.

My definition of communication

Communication is the sending and receiving of messages. It is expressive, fluent rich in symbols and codes. Those individuals decode to understand what the other person is trying to communicate.

My reflections

Being that I am a single parent, have my own business working over 50 hours, going to school full time as well as have a social life, I did not think that I would have ever have made it to the finish line but I did. My chosen area within the communication field is speech pathology field. Although Speech pathology was not offered at Regent University, I decided to stay. My interest for speech pathology started back in 2000, I was at the time still in the military and working part time for a family day home child care provider. A speech therapist would come to the daycare once a week and work with a three-year-old little girl to help develop her speech before she started school. From there I thought it this was a great concept to be proactive, identify any speech problems before a child actually goes to school, and work on their speech impediment early. That way when the child or children do go to school they would be right on schedule speech wise. Otherwise, if the parents wait for the child or children to go to school then the child and or children automatically become two years behind the other children. When I attended face to face classes at Regent University in the fall of 2011 I felt a sense of peace overcome as soon as I stepped on the campus. Nothing like attending NSU! My first semester I met Dr. Kidd, His teaching style was a relaxed nonjudgmental teaching style. He made me feel welcomed and I wanted to be there. I looked forward to going to class each week. I also took some classes on line. In spring of 2012, I took another face to face class with Professor Ayee. He was a joyful happy person. I also enjoyed his class as well.

Fall of 2012 to spring of 2013, I have taken classes solely on line. There is a different atmosphere when taking classes on line then taking classes face to face. I feel it is a bit more difficult to incorporate the bible with on line courses.