People have told us they're using our sisterly banter to start conversations with others (family, friends, and even in classrooms), so Black created "Conversation Starters".
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I know that everyone laughs
at our “Assets and Liabilities” story and how I freaked out at the mere mention
of personal finance, saying you were the MBA and I was the theater major. So, when you first said “financial statements,”
I was intimidated. But when you said we’d
start with “assets and liabilities,” I completely lost it. I calmed down when you simplified it to “what
you own” vs. “what you owe” and knew I could do that, just not assets and
liabilities. How was I supposed to know
they were the same thing?!
Later on, I realized that it was the terminology, not the concepts, that was causing the problem. That I was creating mental roadblocks and becoming my own worst enemy. I’ll admit that understanding what previously had been intimidating words and phrases did boost my self-confidence. Although what makes it even funnier is that I had been a straight-A student and prided myself on my vocabulary. |
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Your vocabulary is probably larger
than mine, and you do like to use, and sometimes overuse, “50-cent words." (And, I was shocked to learn that you have never played Scrabble.)
The words we use reflect our background,
interests, and even what we like to read – you have always enjoyed historical
and biographical books, whereas I gravitate toward business and car magazines,
which may explain why I am more comfortable with terminology and technical
information that you. Not to mention, when
I first started working in the oil and gas industry and with legal contracts
and agreements, I had to learn what felt like a foreign language.
Regardless, you are never too young or too old to increase your vocabulary. And, it is about more than just new words as it also develops your communication skills because it lets you express yourself more clearly and concisely (well, maybe not you), and improves your reading and listening comprehension. And, it even helps your critical thinking and problem-solving skills as it expands your ability to process information. |
red head
assets.rebelmouse.io
Black
assets.rebelmouse.io
THE CONVERSATION STARTERS
- Have you ever felt like Red – frustrated and overwhelmed by terminology (vs. concepts)? If so, what was the situation, and how did you handle it?
- What do you do if someone uses a word or term you do not understand? What are the advantages and disadvantages of (politely) asking them the meaning?
- Do you think a large vocabulary is a sign of intelligence or education/experience? Explain your answer.
- Why is it important to become familiar with terminology and vocabulary used in your area of interest? What is the best way to acquire that knowledge?
People have told us they're using our sisterly banter to start conversations with others (family, friends, and even in classrooms), so Black created "Conversation Starters".
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It never ceases to amaze me
how something awful can be both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. It may be a war or natural disaster, or a
worldwide pandemic, leaving you feeling so helpless, yet at the same time so
inspired. Amidst all the chaos and
uncertainty, you can’t help but be moved by the extraordinary stories, not only
about “everyday” people’s acts of heroics but also their almost super-human strength,
determination, and perseverance.
I know this may sound crazy, but sometimes it takes the worst situations to remind us of the best of humanity. I experienced it first-hand during Hurricane Harvey, although I also know the trauma has a lasting effect. So, when it happens to others, I wish I could feel a bit less hopeless and a whole lot more helpful. |
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Some people “look away”
because a dire situation feels too overwhelming and hopeless, but it is hope that keeps people
invested (emotionally and financially). Hope
in a better day. A better future. Hope is different from hype because the
possibility is real, although the odds may not be good. And there are countless examples of when at
the darkest hours, you see the most courage and strength.
You often cannot control a situation, but you can always control how you react to it. And when terrible things happen, people’s true colors show. We see the goodness of humanity, and we are inspired and want to help. Some people think in terms of “grand gestures”, but it can be as simple as making a small donation, sharing ways to help, or heartfelt prayers. |
THE CONVERSATION STARTERS
- Why do you think we often feel overwhelmed and helpless when something awful happens?
- Can you think of a time when things seemed hopeless but ultimately turned out better than expected? (It can be in history or your personal life.)
- Name one thing you can do to contribute to being part of the “best of humanity”. Have you done it? If so, how did you feel? If not, why not?
People have told us they're using our sisterly banter to start conversations with others (family, friends, and even in classrooms), so Black created "Conversation Starters".
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I never really thought about self-advocacy until Black brought it up in a conversation about “advocacy,”
and, even then, I wasn’t sure what she meant. But after she explained it’s speaking up for yourself and your needs, my
first thought was how that might be OK for others; for me, it totally goes
against my nature. Black might be able
to toot her own horn, but I’m definitely more reserved. (There’s an
understatement!) Until I realized that I
was creating roadblocks in my
mind that didn’t need to be there. OK, maybe I’d need some practice, including how best to communicate my
message, but even I could potentially become a self-advocate.
In fact, I realized my daughters were already self-advocates. For example, my older daughter, Natasha, has learning challenges (Black calls them “DIFF-abilities”, meaning she has different abilities) and in high school learned to self-advocate by asking for accommodations. While my younger daughter, Sawyer, was a good student so in high school was put on a college prep track; until she self-advocated to be allowed to take some CTE (career and technical education) classes. I was merely in attendance at these meetings yet saw the power of recognizing your strengths and/or weaknesses and respectfully stating what you need and why. |
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Red’s other default setting is thinking she cannot do
something until she tries it and realizes she can. It is similar to when she thought she could not
“do” personal finance until she was forced to, and lo-and-behold, she could. As
with any skill – with practice and preparation (think of it as building your
case), it becomes easier. I will admit that I never stopped to think about the importance and power of self-advocacy, as my entire life I have always been a self-advocate, although it was only recently that I learned there was a (nice) term to describe assertively speaking up for yourself. Since I have always focused on where I wanted to be in the future and worked backward, I would identify what I needed to get there. In the workplace, I kept a file where I accumulated examples of my skills and strengths and would look at any potential “shortcomings” as opportunities to learn something new. And, if I needed help from others, respectfully communicated that need to the appropriate people. |
THE CONVERSATION STARTERS
- What does self-advocacy mean to you? Do you think you could be a self-advocate? If so, for what? And why?
- Why should you learn to advocate for yourself?
- What are the potential benefits of advocating for yourself? What are the possible risks?
- List three of your successes/accomplishments (in the workplace or your personal life). What strengths or skills do they demonstrate?