Tell Me More: Importance of Checking-In with Your Community at All Times (good, bad or in the middle)
Trigger Warning – Mention of Suicide
Hello Beautiful Souls,
How are you? How are you really? Please Please Please drop me a message, and tell me what has been bothering you recently? No matter how trivial it may seem, I am here to listen. Even better, let’s please get on a Zoom or Microsoft Teams, or Google Hangout for an 30 mins, an hour or two – you decide. Tell me about it. Mind you, I am not a therapist, and I am here to truly listen to you without any judgment.
If any one of you are on LinkedIn – you may be following or come across posts of Kirsty Bonner – a career, and content adviser amongst many other roles. On August 28th, as I opened the LinkedIn app to engage with the community – I came across an article on her profile, and was really excited to read something from her, at the same time concerned with the tone of the title “A message from Mark Schreiber concerning Kirsty Bonner”. I read the article, and was in deep shock. I could not get my head around what happened. Kirsty, who was there to motivate others, lost her ongoing battle to PTSD by committing suicide. I remember on multiple occasions she engaged with me on her posts, as well as when we have shared her posts. I am in tears as I write this, but this is not about me. It’s a loss of life, and any loss of life is a tragedy. Could we have prevented this? Maybe…
Please take this time to check in with your community, say Hi to people you know even if they seem to be strong, and even if it seems to be that they have it all together. Perhaps they don’t, perhaps there are demons that they are fighting with but we don’t know about. Perhaps they are a master of disguise, and to not want anyone to be “bothered” by their struggles or their life story. Perhaps all they know is to be strong for others, and not care about themselves. Possibilities are endless, there is HOPE, and suicide is definitely preventable.
According to World Health Organization (WHO)’s estimate, every 40 seconds someone takes their life. September 10, is World Suicide Prevention Day. Please spread the awareness, check in with your loved one and even the ones you don’t love or have any feelings towards. Ask questions, listen attentively, keep them away from things that they could hurt themselves with (alcohol, drugs, etc). Do not keep it a secret if they are feeling suicidal, and ensure they seek professional help. Together, we can help eradicate this tragedy that has been haunting families around the world. Please remember that YOU are valuable, and we are here to listen. Please remember that there is HOPE.
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1) Electronic Screen Syndrome (ESS). Is it real?
Dr Harriett Hall in this article, writes comprehensively refuting the study of Electronic Screen Syndrome, and the consideration of increased usage of screen time an addiction, a syndrome, and/or a disease. She also shares the science behind it.
What I learned is that there are not enough controlled scientific studies which co-relates hyperactivity, lack of sleep, irritability, etc in children to increased usage of electronic screen time. I also learned on how confirmation bias is real, and how having it could result in you writing up flawed reports confirming the bias you've had prior to conducting the research.
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2) The one phrase that can transform your effectiveness at work
In this article, Gwen Moran, writes about her interview with Alexandra Carter, on the benefits of usage of the phrase "tell me".
I learned that using these two powerful words together while asking questions to others, enables the individual being asked, to present their ideas freely without any restraint. This, in return, enables the questioner to better understand the views and opinions of others in a positive fashion. Information derived from this question could be used to build better relations, or improve the existing ones.
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Please share this with anyone who can benefit. I would appreciate it that you post it on your social media profiles for better reach. Thank you in advance for it!!
Be well, take care of yourself, and please check in with your community.
Much Love,
Sultan