It has been said that communication has become a lost art. But this phrase, I believe, refers to how we communicate, not what we communicate or lack thereof. The lack of communication, IMHO, goes hand and hand with the lack of respect for others that has been on the increase for many years now.
So many frustrations, anger, resentments, hurt feelings, etc., could be avoided with a simple clear communication. It seems so many people do not get that or else they simply do not care enough to be concerned about it.
The most perfect example happened about a year ago. I oversaw coordinating a group of ladies for a particular service. That is what we considered it to be and it was especially important for all of us. Due to frustrations with the person who was leading the Ministry we were serving, I opted to quit. I advised the other ladies and assured them that I had asked the leader of the Ministry to let them know who he would choose to replace me and if that person would continue to utilize them for this service.
Months went by and they heard nothing. They kept asking me, but no matter how many times I told them to check with him, for whatever reason they would not. It was upsetting me that they were so upset and feeling disrespected that I emailed him. The email took a very ugly turn to which I am still very confused over, but he could not or would not understand how this lack of communication was so disrespectful. Most of these ladies had supplied this service for 2 years. The Ministry was still going on and they knew it. They still wanted to serve, but were so frustrated, hurt, and felt disrespected because no one would tell them anything…. Not even whether their services were still wanted. The result wound up being nothing changed. To this date, nothing has been communicated to them. They have just given up and are left with resentment and hurt. All that could have been avoided with communication.
So much lost time, wasted money, aggravation, etc. in this world could be avoided by clear communication. We all know things can change. We all know plans are sometimes disrupted. We all know that when someone new is in charge (whether a Ministry, Parish, Office, Boss, etc.), that person will more than likely have different ideas, manners, ways. Simply telling someone as soon as you know or before something is implemented, can alleviate most of these issues. It would be nice, when it comes to changes being made to include the thought process/reasons why, but that is not as critical as just letting people know rather than finding out the hard way.
Example, we have Adoration at the Parish for which people are scheduled to attend. Many of us do not live that close to the Church. Today, apparently, they cancelled Adoration. I had driven many miles in this heat specifically to adore my Lord. Imagine my frustration on every level when I got there. No communication, nothing.
These are just a couple examples. I could give oh so many more. So I am begging you, if you are in authority, a boss, a Priest, a Bishop, a leader of anything – please consider what you do not communicate just as much as to what you do communicate.
If you want to be respected, then respect others. Be considerate of how what you do/not do, what you change, or what changes unexpectedly will affect others. Avoid what can be avoided. Take the time to send a simple communication. You may be surprised the headaches it will actually take off you as well as the other person.
blessedadorer 
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