Suggestions often begin with a few anecdotes. They often tie to the trellis of directives people try to plant in your garden when asked for perspective.

Perspective not suggestion. I share my experience (perspective) or I tell you what I would do in your situation (suggestion). The difference? Intention. What do I hope for when I share with you? What are my intentions for our interaction? Do I want to convince you? Do I want to give you a lesson or share with you a piece of the puzzle I found along the way? Maybe it fits in your puzzle...or not. Either or or is up to you not me.

Clear, effective communication allows all parties to orient themselves within the exchange. Thus my responsibility is to know what my intention is prior to offering either my perspective or suggestion for your situation. Being clear as to my intended outcome prior to giving input to someone allows me to understand my boundaries (what I am willing to do not do) while offering appropriate support and resources to any person as they work to complete their puzzle.

Once I'm clear about my intentions for your situation I'm often freed to be a resource (perspective) for your journey as opposed to one more thinly-veiled directive (suggestion).

This is my suggestion, what's your perspective?

There are many things we do and ways of doing them. Many, many methods.

What we have found beyond the ways we do things is the universal foundation which all of them rest; community. However you define or participate when you find a solid one, add to it. Our experience has been it will respond with energy and enthusiasm endearingly.

Hard to find much that is universal within a universe! Thanks to the recovery>wellness community of West Virginia to provide an example. Represented by the local knowledge of its artisans and craftspeople via Holl's Chocolates, J. Q. Dickinson's Salt and ever-ready & hearty Fiesta Ware. All connected by individuals. The true heartbeat of any community.

What's the heartbeat of your community?