The art of a conversation

What is a conversation? A conversation to me is an exchange of verbalized thoughts. It is its own story, made up of all of the involved personnel and their narratives. When partaking in conversations lately, I have tried to talk less and listen more. I have always asked a lot of questions, but I've been making a conscious effort to try and put myself in another person's shoes and truly listen. 

I used to ask myself how much I should be talking. Now I ask myself how little I should be taking. I see more opportunities to learn by listening. Although I am a verbal processor this does not mean that I must always be talking to process the ideas at hand. I can process on my own and in conversation, but I do find that I sometimes come to greater epiphanies while sharing my ideas with another. 

This week has been full of many conversations, some of which I was forced to be in the spotlight during. I had two interviews where I was asked many questions and expected to thoughtfully articulate my experiences and feelings. At some moments I felt strained to find the right words to describe what I have been through in the last year, but for the most part, the words flowed freely. 

Even though I am constantly reminding myself to treat interviews as normal conversations, it can prove to be difficult. I suppose partly this is because I feel I should be talking to the audience and not the interviewee. I feel I should make things short and sweet, but at the same time, I don't want to sell my story short. I am aware that I am still learning the correct balance of all of these things. 

I feel as confident about my interviews as I do having a normal conversation. Not because I know I came across exactly as I planned, but because I know I tried my best and gained much knowledge in allowing myself to be vulnerable. I look at all of my mistakes as learning opportunities and try to be honest with myself. This week has yet again proved to be an important journey of growth through the unknown. Just as a conversation is. From what I have gathered thus far the art of a conversation is just that, a journey of growth through the unknown.