A different craft

Over the last few months, I applied for a new position at work. I was offered the role, and my first day on the job ( sort of) was March 4. I say sort of, because I can't really get my teeth into the role until I hire someone to replace me in my current role. Working on that.

Anyways, this involved a move to a new office. (quite nice.) However, it doesn't have a tack board. It does for sure have a white board!!! Which is key. So facilities found me a board covered in the lovely grey material...well, we couldn't have that. So off I went with our brand expert to see if we could find some material in the company colours to re-cover the board. Success! I took the board and material home and played today. The original material was all of the same value so I popped it out with some reddish material. The key thing I wanted to get on the board was some kanji symbols to set a tone- listen and harmony.

the board to begin with. in my sewing room.

cutting out the symbols, using a fusible interface.

my home made light box, usable when it is sunny out...actually, i used it last night too, to trace the symbols on to the fusible interface. worked pretty good with just the patio light on.

the final version! the board is going on a wall that is pretty dark brown, so this should pop a bit. The red fabric on the right is full of those little stick characters. thought that was applicable as well to my work. 

the symbols are "listen" and then "harmony".  

The following is from the U.S. Department of State website. Pretty cool that the U.S. Department of State is teaching this...

The most common problem in communication is not listening! A Chinese symbol for "To Listen" is shown below.  It is wise beyond the art. The left side of the symbol represents an ear. The right side represents the individual- you. The eyes and undivided attention are next and finally there is the heart.

This symbol tells us that to listen we must use both ears, watch and maintain eye contact, give undivided attention, and finally be empathetic.  In other words we must engage in active listening! Active listening is a skill taught to teachers and police officers, counselors, ministers, rabbis and priests. It is a skill we would all do better having learned, practiced. To begin being an active listener we must first understand the four rules of active listening.

The Four Rules of Active Listening 1. Seek to understand before you seek to be understood. 2. Be non judgmental 3. Give your undivided attention to the speaker 4. Use silence effectively

What's your adventure today?