I've been thinking a lot about the value and nature of communication lately. How often do we get misdirected by tone or specific words? How often do others hear our words or view the images we create differently than we envisioned them? So much of the conflict and vitriol we see around us comes down to a failure to communicate (listening is, of course, a crucial part of that process).
This idea brought to mind an insightful quote by author Anne Lamont in her book Bird by Bird.
"if you are writing the clearest, truest words you can find and doing the best you can to understand and communicate, this will shine on paper like its own little lighthouse. Lighthouses don't go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining."
Her message, though initially directed at the process of writing, seems appropriate to much of the communication we engage in each day. If we can provide clear, honest ideas and strive to truly listen and understand others' points-of-view, we can get a lot further in life. We might even make some genuine connections along the way.
The current approach favored by many, shouting into echo chambers, certainly isn't working for us.