Angus Nelson

Who cares if you do a bunch of great things, win a heap of awards or accomplish some great feat? If you treat people like trash in the process, then your life is pretty empty. We talked this past week about the best way to connect with those around us, and decided the simplest way was to make them feel a sense of love, value and worth.

That takes a conscious effort to accomplish because by nature, it is significantly easier to be moody, sarcastic, impatient or critical. Ironically, many people who call themselves “christians” display those very behaviors. They’re not happy, friendly or in anyway perceived as being an attractive or appealing lifestyle.

Sometimes it’s hard to admit that I’m a “christian” because of all the negative associations people make with that word. But Jesus, He’s rocked my world and transformed my way of life. I’m definitely a follower of Jesus and His love in me makes it WAY easier to love those around me.

Share with us someone you know who’s living this thing out well. Tell us about someone you admire, who’s loving, and friendly, and just has a way with people.

It’s no use dwelling on the negative. Give us some positive people to admire, look up to.

In this day and age many of those that claim to follow Christ have established their own sub-culture instead of influencing the culture around them. We’ve established Christian bookstores, music catalogs, magazines, coffeehouses, coalitions, etc.

As a result, there’s existed a tension between what is “sacred” and what is “worldly”.

Weren’t we instructed to be “in” the world and not “of” the world? Weren’t we challenged to be salt, a preservative, and light, a revealer? How is that possible if the salt spends all of its time and resources in the salt shaker? How blinded have we become in a room full of lights?

Furthermore, what part would anyone want to play in a sea of back-biting, low self-worthed, critical hypocrites? – that is how we are perceived.

A revolution of fresh perspective… an inspiring direction to follow… a tangible reality to be experienced…

Could I be a part of it all???

This week’s conversation about the power of people skills truly captured where we’re headed with this topic. We talked about the ways in which people interact and how that can either help or hinder a work environment. The bulk of the discussion was over the principles found in the book by Dale Carnegie, “How to Win Friends and Influence People”.

What was revealed throughout all of this was how our interactions must sincerely come from a perspective of what’s best for the other person. Some examples include: communicating in a way they can connect with, making them feel heard, valued and understood; being creative in how you illustrate a thought; protecting another’s dignity; and indirectly addressing other’s mistakes.

What are the similarities in how we treat, connect and communicate with people IN the workplace as we do OUTside the workplace?

In what ways do you treat a close family member different than a co-worker?

What would happen if you treated both the same?