Hard conversations. Facing difficult things. Coming to terms with something you did not want to before. Addressing issues with people you are nervous about discussing things with. Having hard conversations is something I have never been good at. When my parents came to my parent vision trip in Ethiopia, I asked them where they were at in their faith, I asked them how we were, and I opened up about something I have been struggling with. It showed me, I don’t have to do things alone even if I do feel alone sometimes. Hard conversations are important for growth and to help you get out of your own headspace.
The World Race can be helpful for helping someone developing the confidence to confront things they are not okay with. Even though I do not agree with Feedback or the way we do it here, nor will I bring this practice home, it provided so many sweet opportunities for people to understand that they are heard. It made it easier for me not only to have hard conversations with other people but also with myself.
If you are confused with what Feedback means on the race, here is the deal.
You ask if you can give feedback (because sometimes people have bad days and are not in the mood for feedback), you tell them what you saw, you offer encouragement on how it could have gone better, and you back it up with scripture. You can also provide encouraging feedback with the same setup. My teams have also worked on addressing things in the moments they happen and learning if what we are feeling is a “preference” issue or an actual “problem”.
I feel as if I have been way better about not “gossiping” about situations and actually addressing them head-on. Hard conversations and conflict are everywhere. We just have to learn how to work with it.
Anyways, this isn’t much of a blog but more of a pinpoint of success because I had these hard conversations. Is there are conversation such need to have in your life? Take this as a sign to do so.
