Inquiry is the Key...
Tray T.S. Deadwyler, CVM, CLC, CBC
Speaker, Trainer, Author of 'The Contemplative Morning' | Award-Winning Strategist and Leadership Coach | Empowering Leaders to Master their Seven Life Domains
In my coaching sessions centered around the tapestry of human connections and relationships, I've come to recognize a profound truth: Inquiry is the heartbeat of interest and it all begins here. The nature of our questions paints a vivid picture of the depth of our curiosity. When the simple, "How was your day?" fades into silence, it might just signal the dimming of that interest.
But here's the thing—true inquiry is the gateway to truly knowing someone. And isn't knowing the cornerstone of trust, the kindling of love? How can we claim to love without truly understanding the soul we're entwined with? Affection, yes, that's the easy part. But to love with intention, with a fervor that's almost tangible, we must dive into the essence of who they are.
We should all know that the quality of our lives is greatly determined by the quality of the relationships we have and keep. And we should know that the fabric of our lives is woven through personal and professional threads. The strength of this fabric lies in the quality of our relationships, anchored in trust. Now, Trust doesn't bloom overnight; it's cultivated through consistent engagement, through the effort of peeling back layers to reveal the core. When we understand someone's values, their beliefs, their quirks, we're not just predicting behaviors—we're building a bridge of predictability that fosters trust.
This understanding is the bedrock of reliability. To know someone—to really know them—is to see the light of their truest qualities. It's this knowledge that lays the groundwork for vulnerability without the shadow of judgment, for a connection that's as fearless as it is deep.
And then there's commitment, the decision to walk a shared path, a journey that's charted through the intimate map of intellectual and emotional connection. It's a path that should be walked long before the physical comes into play, a courtship of the mind and heart that precedes the union of bodies.
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Yet, in today's whirlwind of fleeting glances and surface-level bonds, we often miss the mark. We chase the spark without fanning the flames of emotional connection, leaving us with a hollow echo of what could be. This oversight is a silent thief of joy, pilfering the potential for unions that could withstand the test of time.
So, my call to you is this: Embrace the inquiries that forge bonds beyond the physical. Build relationships on the solid ground of mutual understanding, and watch as trust, reliability, and commitment flourish. These are the seeds of intimacy that truly last. Reach out if this strikes a chord, and as always, navigate your relationships with courage and heart.
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Be well and brave.?
Your Brother.
Tray T.S. Deadwyler, CVM, CLC, CBC
Chief Program Officer, Winthrop Rockefeller Institute Civic Engagement Professional & Advocate; Certified Clifton Strengths Coach, leading with Relator, Responsibility, Intellection, Achiever, and Learner
1 年Great piece! I love the reminders. Your session in NOLA was one of the catalysts for my making the decision to enter a sabbatical. Keep up the good work.