of course

i would be blogging instead of studying for my midterm at 6pm.
let me share with you what i'm studying-

communication is the key to life.
without healthy relationships, life becomes severely unstable.
in an unstable life, the individual begins to feel isolated and thus deteriorates (physically, emotionally, mentally, etc.)

there are rules to communication.
for example, in a family, one must answer the following three questions:
1. what can i say to others (in regards to the family unit)?
2. how can i say it?
3. to whom should i relay to?

and with these three questions come five accompanying rules-
1. the rules to communication within and outside of the family is explicit.
i.e. "don't say whatever is said in the family right now to those outside of the family."
2. the rules to communication within and outside of the family can be unspoken.
i.e. if nobody else talks about your sister's lifestyle outside of the family, don't talk about your sister's lifestyle outside of the family.
3. there are specific rules within each family that is punished/rewarded.
i.e. i will never be punished for keeping to myself, but other families might require "family time," where not talking to others in the family might be considered offensive.
4. family communication should be flexible for when unforeseen changes occur.
5. family communication should be negotiable so everyone can feel involved.

interesting, eh?
i like it.
well.
looks like i DID learn something!!!!

i am also learning effective communication with others (general) by reducing different types of noise, effective and proactive ways to communicate within relationships, and the advantages/disadvantages to having relationships. it was easier for me to memorize the latter. heh.

nowww on to the therapy part of communication:
1. the client's gumption matters the most (40%)
2. the client-therapist relationship matters next (30%)
3. hope, expectancy, and placebo factors are third most effective in therapy (15%)
4. the therapy treatment itself comes in last (15%)

psychotherapy works at least as well as medication.

and the last lesson i have learned-
let us begin life with an end in mind and constantly be alert to what is happening around us!
life is hard; i say we attack it with our best foot forward.