Over my weeks at Lydia Home, many interpersonal communication themes have developed during the time I have spent with the children, as well as the adults.
Perception has been an absolutely huge theme that has played a role in various communications I have had. The people at this wonderful organization have challenged my perception of the community in Davenport. Coming from a very small town in Indiana, I believed the people in a bigger city did not care for their local community as much as a smaller group of people. Lydia Home showed me that there were people in the world who care about the well-being of their community and especially the children who are given less in life, who struggle with even the simplest of things due to their circumstances. My perception of people in general and how they can share their personal stories so openly challenged me to be a more open person.
Another theme that occurred multiple times during my time at Lydia Home was the use of different language. Helping the kids, I need to use different language to communicate an idea that I understand, or something that I may know a certain way but have to explain it in three different ways to help them fully grasp a concept.
This experience of the service learning project has shaped my future interpersonal interactions by adapting my mindset of people in the community. Also, I now know that I can better explain ideas better. This project was a vital part of my growth in interpersonal communications.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Blog #4 Lydia Home
During this experience at Lydia Home, I attended to the family cookout the organizations holds to bring the kids and parents for a nice meal. This night we made tacos, and I helped put the toppings on for the kids. Helping the kids is the reason why we volunteer there, but this particular day my use of language and perception of the people there was challenged.
I talked to a woman and her daughter who help there during the meals. They are local neighbors that attend church with the people of Lydia Home. During this night there, we talked about our families, lives, and even tragedies that have happened in our lives. I only met them this one time, and I was able to talk to them like I had known them for years. My perception of the people who live in the local area, and even people in general changed. I realized how through the interpersonal communication had,that there is more to people, and getting to know them and their struggles will grow the community and world together.
What I learned that I can apply to future interactions is the openness with people that allow for fluid communication. The perception change will aid future communications by helping me realize that everyone has gone through some kind of struggle, so be less quick to judge them and learn about the people I communicate with.
I talked to a woman and her daughter who help there during the meals. They are local neighbors that attend church with the people of Lydia Home. During this night there, we talked about our families, lives, and even tragedies that have happened in our lives. I only met them this one time, and I was able to talk to them like I had known them for years. My perception of the people who live in the local area, and even people in general changed. I realized how through the interpersonal communication had,that there is more to people, and getting to know them and their struggles will grow the community and world together.
What I learned that I can apply to future interactions is the openness with people that allow for fluid communication. The perception change will aid future communications by helping me realize that everyone has gone through some kind of struggle, so be less quick to judge them and learn about the people I communicate with.
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