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From: Russ Hicks
Date: 10/1/02
Time: 1:51:37 PM
Remote Name: 12.237.88.201
Chris,
As usual, you hit the nail DIRECTLY on the head! You made TWO absolute perfect bulls eyes:
1. You're right, nobody REALLY wants to hear about your stuttering in any great depth. Yes, treat it as an obvious inconvenience in your life, but don't let it be the focus of who you are. Typically any normal conversation with a fluent person about stuttering over five minutes is too long. Sure mention it. And sure, don't AVOID it. Keep it in your listener's perspective. That's not as easy target to hit, by the way. As you said, be "normal." Absolutely.
2. I loved your emphasis on the OTHER person. Sometimes we think - feel - that WE are the only person in the world with a problem. The truth of the matter is that EVERYONE has problems. If we can be a part of the other person's SOLUTION, rather than drag them into our PROBLEM, they'll love us for it. And in turn, we'll love ourselves for doing that.
Great paper as always, Chris. But why am I not surprised...? <smile>
Russ