One Significant Method for Success: Communication

Sr. Vocata

I think the most important skill a person should learn in order to be successful in the world today is communication. Because we live in a world which is filled with people and other creatures that have a relationship with us, we need to communicate well each other because “No one is an island.” Success is built on diversity relationships and communication is the most basic foundation to live as a human and one of God's creatures.

Every day people meet other people and creatures from the time we wake up until we fall asleep, and even when someone is sleeping, he or she is together with his or her partner, and maybe with their kids, even their pets. In these various relationships, we can’t live without communication.  Through the communication, we learn everything, not only how to speak but also how to behave. A baby learns to use a spoon from her parents. Parents show their baby how to use a spoon, for example, with gestures and words. In this case, we can see that communication takes place not only through words but also through actions, with a lot of practice, the baby will successfully be able to use the spoon. In the same way, people can learn everything from society. In a workplace, a university, or a church group, efficient communication is very important to achieve their goals. People can share new concepts through communication like meeting, emailing and calling, or text messaging and Face Time. When they face a problem, they might be a conflict between different perspectives, but they may be able to solve the problem through conversation, patience, and compromise, all of which are important parts of communication. With communication, people consolidate ideas to reach their common goal.

Adolf Hitler (1889-1945)

In the world, we see the crucial events such as the Manchester terror attack because some people believe that when they want to achieve their goals, they must force other people with violence, especially vulnerable people like women, children. However, In the history of the world, violent force has not been the solution. It has only resulted suffering and grief over and over. One historical example of someone who has used violence to try to reach his ends is Adolf Hitler, who didn’t succeed on the blood path. 

Mohandas K. Gandhi(1869-1948)

Conversely, in the same era, there was a great person called Mohandas K. Gandhi, who communicated with every people as the leader of the nonviolent civil disobedience movement in India. He convinced people that nonviolence is the only communication way to build a better world. And now, even though he has passed away, his spirit is still in existence; therefore, he has succeeded. Violence brings violence, but communication brings understanding, adaptation, and finally peace. The process of communication is not fast, I think, but it is valuable to help us concentrate and to try constantly for the next generation.

In addition, in my life, communication has been an important tool for success. When I decided to join the religious life as a Catholic sister, I had had some special conversations with people and with God. When I was looking for a congregation which had been prepared for me by God, someone told me this: stop seeking and start listening. This means that I shouldn't follow my own thoughts and feelings, but use God's will as I hear, see, and encounter it as my guide. Before that conversation, I was confused about which of several congregations I choose, but after the conversation which was guided by the Holy Spirit, I think, I found our congregation, Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. That experience has helped me to make significant decision. Now, I’m so happy as a daughter of the holy church, so I would say, that communication of important advise has helped me to succeed in the world, too.

In brief, we can't live without communication with others. In other words, without communication we can't share, give, even essential things for living such as foods, clothes and shelter. Thus, communication is one significant method for the success of the world in which we live together.