Want a Bumper Sticker? Or, What's the Message?

I don't tweet much. I tried it a little bit at a conference I went to because the speaker, our PC(USA) Moderator-at-the-time, Bruce Reyes Chow, suggested we all give it a try. I had a hard time paying attention to what he was saying, really listening, while I was tweeting. I've found it to be too much communication. Too much information, really, and not (always) enough communication. That's how it is for me - and knowing that for myself, even if others do like tweeting and find is useful, has been simply simplifying for me. How we communicate is part of our living. So, how is it that we live more fully into the communications we have with others? Communications can be brief and informational, and sometimes that's the point. Communications can be thought-provoking and inspiring. How about silly and life-affirming? And, isn't it important to communicate our feelings sometimes. How we communicate and to whom we are communicating is important to consider all the time.

I have a theory that the best way to communicate is often the simplest way - to listen, to look and see the body language conveyed, to receive the communication. And, then to consider what it is that I want to offer in return. Is it life-affirming for that other? Is it helpful or hurtful? Simple doesn't necessarily mean easy. It takes some thought and attention.
In our middle-school youth programming, we have a phrase we often use to remind one another of the importance of what/how we say what we say:

"There is tremendous power in your words."

It's a bit like the first of The Four Agreements,

"Use your words impeccably."

Sometimes the simplest of communications we can offer are bumper stickers. Really, I think that! I just love seeing a car with bumper stickers - a form of communicating who the person is that is driving that car and what' important to them. I've been known to get a little too close to other cars so I can read what their bstickers say. So, it was exciting to me today to get a free bumper sticker that communicates something that I feel is pretty important - care for the earth. The message I received in the email was from a friend who said

"I am part of a growing movement mad up of people from diverse faith traditions, joining together as a moral voice for climate protection. When you add your name to a simple statement to Washington that we are praying, acting and voting for climate protection, Interfaith Power & Light will send you a free sticker."

Well, I think being part of that kind of communication - encouraging prayer and thoughtful living, caring for God's creation is pretty worthwhile. And, hey - the bumper sticker is pretty cool looking as well. If you're interested, click on the logo below (not the bumper sticker - I couldn't find an image to paste here) and you can get yourself on - for free.