Tell Me More...

‘Tell me more.’

Three simple words.

Simple words which can facilitate a scenario of increased presence, communication, attunement, understanding and connection.

Let’s face it; we live in a ‘multi-task’ world.

Never fully present - not really. After all, while we are standing in the cash out line, we are really planning dinner, or figuring out how to pick up the kids from day care, and get to that after school sport on time, of what the meeting with our co-worker is really about, or lamenting the comment we made – or should have made – during that previous interaction at work, or home.

And yet, what if we just slowed things down, just a little.

Took the time for a simple breath, and came from a place of caring.

What if we simply became curious, and inquired. 

From a true place of curiosity. A place of wonder. With purity of heart. To clarify. For greater understanding. Connection.

Perhaps we are simply too rushed, busy, overbooked. That anticipation of the next thing we need to do gets in the way of fully being present to listen and hear another perspective…or idea.

Or perhaps we simply feel uncomfortable. Maybe, we believe we are ‘right’ or just need to be right, and that ‘rightness’ just gets in the way. We feel discomfort in conversing about a topic with which one might have a differing view. Perhaps because we feel uninformed about the topic, or perhaps we simply feel very compassionate about it, or perhaps we feel triggered and uneasy about hearing and listening to another perspective.

And surrounding that is the competitive part of us that tells us ‘we have to be right!’ or even ‘what if you’re wrong?’

Yet, perhaps, none of that matters – not really.  If it isn’t just about that next thing on our list, or who might be right or wrong, then there becomes room for the awareness that this conversation gets to be a true and thoughtful discourse; A conversation toward exploration, communication with honesty, empathy, and respect.  Not complete agreement and synchronicity, but perhaps toward understanding and harmony.

So, next time someone states something that gives you pause, and creates a little tussle in your mind, welcome it, breathe with it, and perhaps, utilize three simple words: ‘tell me more.’

© 2026: Donna J Clarke/Integrative Pathways Counseling, LLC. All rights reserved.