Eluna’s Expert Voices – Importance of Communication by Listening
When we sat down with Camp Mariposa Mentors Kristina & Steve to talk about the 7C of COMMUNICATION, they both chimed in with this important message: communication starts with listening. Their stories of meaningful conversations with youth, start by letting go of any personal agendas and assumptions. Steve talks about stepping up as a listener by stepping out of the way. Kristina shares about the power of presence and patience. This video is a reminder for us all to let go, let it flow, and listen.
Sit With Them Long Enough
“A lot of times, kids don’t know how to put their feelings into words. Whether their feelings are so big and they can’t sort through them or, ‘I’m mad, I’m mad’…they are mad, but they are also something else. If you sit long enough with them, they are going to calm down and more often than not they will start to talk.” – Kristina, Clinical Director & Mentor
Stepping Out of the Way
“I’ve learned in both aspects with both kids and adults that they just want to be heard and given that opportunity to speak and share…and not fix it. I have the need and tendency to want to fix evertying, but I understand that is not my purpose….I’m putting myself out of the way, the way I think things should go. It has had a tendency to get in the way of things, so I try to step out of the way…..It usually works out pretty well when I’m not trying to steer it, direct it, guide it, or control it.” – Steve, Mentor
Click here to see a full list of Expert Voices videos!
