Reprogramming with Chocolate

“It doesn’t open,” came the message. The file I sent wouldn’t open at the other end. I could see it fine. I checked it, and it opened perfectly for me. Yet the person at the other end couldn’t access it. Somewhere in the combination of their computer, the software and the file, something wasn’t working.

We all have different programs in life. The way we see things and the way we operate is different. Then when someone sends you a file, your program and operating system may not open it. Or it may open and juggle things around. It makes it appear differently. The fonts have changed, and it sometimes refuses to read them. Instead, it puts them into wingdings or some weird unknown language.

It is easy to misinterpret the message. You hear it with the bias of who you are. You see, with your blinkers on. This causes problems. This is why we have prejudice and intolerance in the world. We see things differently. We read the file with different programs and operating systems.

How do we get on the same page? How can we both view the file as it is meant to be seen?

Listening to others in a way that allows you to go beyond your own programming takes a purposeful effort. It takes a willingness to sit without judgement and let go of everything we thought we knew. Come to the table with an attitude of “I don’t know your experience or what you know.” Be willing to learn a new way and new ideas. When we do, we start the world differently. We can get some idea of what it is like to walk in someone else’s shoes.

The file, or story, will remain the same. However, we can work with our programming to read someone else’s story.

This is what Chocolate and Coffee Day is all about. In sharing these simple pleasures in life — chocolate, coffee and conversation- with someone different to us- we can start to see who they are. We can let go of those prejudices and biases and start understanding their perspective.

Chocolate and Coffee Day is on the 15th of December. I invite you to join by simply inviting someone to share with you. Listen, learn and discover something new. Maybe you will even make a new friend. When we all take time to learn the ways of others, the world becomes a different place. It becomes one where love and acceptance of all is a way of life.

To discover more, please visit www.chocolateandcoffeeday.com and download a resource pack.

Andrea Putting is the Founder of Chocolate and Coffee Day and Chocolate and Coffee Breaks. As an International Speaker, Best-Selling and Award-Winning Author and Trusted Advisor to Authentic Influencers, she guides individuals, communities and businesses to find their compassionate purpose so that they can create a legacy worth living.
Connect with her now. For more articles or to purchase her books, visit www.AndreaPutting.com