The value of clear communication is often distorted by the acceptance of assumption. Assuming deprives the individual their ability to reflect, to turn ones thoughts back on. To effectively use the ability to reflect, one must learn to become an active listener. Active listening promotes clear communication that creates solutions and minimizes the idea of accepting assumptions. Relate your communication to a marathon, not a sprint. Taking for granted you know the purpose of the communication, yet it's somewhat distorted because you really didn't actively listen, causes opposing expectations. Learn the value of active listening, you will when the want to is of greater value than staying the way you are. Active listening empowers one to seek understanding first, and then they will be understood. Turn your ability to think back on, it makes for clear communication.

"When I am getting ready to reason with a man I spend one-third of my time thinking about myself and what I am going to say and two-thirds about him and what he is going to say." Abraham Lincoln

Let's remove the acceptance of assumptions, "Are you with me?"

There's a very powerful ability God has placed within each individual that determines your identity, that ability is "Choice". Everyone has it, most people abuse it, and few ever find the power in it. Attitude is a choice, it's not based on the environment, circumstances, or others. We have the ability to surround ourselves with positive or negative people, with positive or negative environments, we create these and must man up and face the truth. The people or environment didn't create the attitude we have, the attitude we have created the people and environment surrounding us. There's enormous value in looking for the "up side" in all situations that goes unrecognized in the mind of most individuals. When we engage the ability of choosing a positive attitude, we create greater opportunities of real value. We simply become confident in the way we think and begin to replace any bad habits or circumstances with good ones. We do this by understanding that what seems bad and uncomfortable is a challenge to execute our powerful ability to choose the attitude that will change people and situations with positive outcomes, before they change us with negative outcomes. Embracing this powerful ability designed of God, understanding it through His wisdom and executing it with His strength, shapes your goals, ideas, decisions, and identity. These goals, ideas, decisions, and identity, represents the positive and creative power in our relationship with God, family, career, and overall well- being. Step out for the challenge, look for the benefits, not the liabilities. Look at the cost of not moving from your comfort areas, compared to the value of moving. Keeping a God perspective will lessen the fears and doubts, and will surely quiet the critics. When our life represents the attitude that always looks for the "up side", people get quiet and recognize the value. There is someone today awaiting your demonstration in choosing and controlling your attitude, hoping there is some value in their life. Time to bring out the value in people, it's a choice of attitude that's priceless. "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had." Philippians 2:5 NLT
There's a group of people in Horry County that have joined their hearts and dreams with the purpose to serve and give back to the community. Many have yet to recognize the value of relationships, they will soon.