Have you ever wondered how much people get from your expressions? That maybe what you are thinking is not necessarily what is being projected to others? Sometimes what is going on in our heads is not what shows on our faces. Our expressions can sometimes shut down communication and lead to many misunderstanding. Rather than assume they know what we are thinking, we should open up the door by asking them to join in a conversation. It may take you somewhere.
Have you ever heard, “What is wrong?” and there really be nothing wrong but according to those around you, you look sad, mad, upset, ______ (fill in the missing emotion). What if you actually told them, nothing was wrong but they did not believe you? Do you stop talking? Do you stop trying? Do you put up fences and walls to stop the madness?
Could it be that rather than them not understanding what it is that is in your mind, or even heart, as they ‘read’ your face, but that they are possibly projecting onto you what they are actually feeling or thinking? Could they have a need to talk and share even if they do not realize it?
Maybe you need to turn it around when asked that question. Maybe the next time someone asks, “What is wrong?” and you know that you genuinely are ok and feel fine, that your expression is being misread, you should ask the questioner what may actually be bothering them. Even if you have told them you are fine, but they do not believe you. Who knows? Have you ever been in one of those conversations that you have wondered how on earth it even got started, but you are glad that it indeed got started? Rather than someone misreading your expressions and beginning to go through, “I swear. Nothing. Is. Wrong! I am just lost in my own thoughts.” Or worse, “I was fine. But now that you keep hounding me and telling me that you KNOW something is wrong, yes, there is. You have done made me mad!” Now there is actually something wrong…and it may just be a fight on the horizon.
Maybe if someone misreads you, and you open the door for a conversation by turning the table and asking them if something is wrong or on their mind, a chance to have a decent and honest conversation has just revealed itself. Maybe if you allow yourself to get beyond the misinterpretation, the fact that they are not listening to you or hearing you, you can have a conversation that takes you to places your relationship has never gone before. Needs to go. Who knows, all of those wide open conversations just present a whole new level of understanding.
What a wonderful and very well written post!
I just love Stella’s expressions and I love that her face is darker than than the rest of her fur! That is how Leroy was when he was a pup!
Thank you so much! I love her face like that too. It seems so rich when it contrasts with her “shock~puff” doo on the very top of her head. : )
Great post and food for thought. Wonderful expressive pictures of Miss Stella. Hugs and nose kisses
Glad you think so. : ) Thank you…she has a face that just begs for a camera.
Great post! Isn’t it funny what people think sometimes….just by the way we look….
Thank you. : ) It is indeed. Especially when they believe they have it all figured out when they actually are way off base.
I think it’s a brilliant idea to ignore the ego when annoyed at someone who asks “what is wrong”, but instead turn it around and check if they are doing ok. And your pups expressions are priceless
: ) Thanks. While Miss Stella has many expressions, most of which I can figure out, I still have a hard time always being able to accurately read some two-leggeds expressions. I will always try though. : )
Thanks for visiting Fractions in Time, do come again there will always be new photos…My Maggie is also sometimes called Maggie Mae, or Margaret Rose, or Mags…..a very beautiful girl with a wonderfully gentle and loyal nature. I LOVE your Newfies…..have not seen many brown ones in Oz, they tend to be black. The puppy pictures are adorable. I Lived next door to two of them a couple of years ago…great dogs. Cheers.
*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•` ¤ You know… Miss Stella is actually thinking about me in those first three photos. OK, she’s thinking about you in the fourth, but in the fifth photo… she’s back to thinking of me. LOL
Lol! Too funny. I almost do not want to know what she may be thinking in that one photo! She can have some crazy faces. : )
*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•` ¤ Hey… I really liked this entry! I did! Every time we speak to someone, or they take a glance at us… it`s true, we say so much with just our eye contact, hand gestures, facial expressions, postural changes and personal space. Our demeanor, mannerisms, body language as well as our grooming and accessories are all looked upon and judged.
This posting as given me plenty to think about!
Very cool that this post has made you think. : ) I know, I myself, need to double check and think as well. You are so right…there is so much being said with our bodies rather than our voices. Thanks for the feedback and sharing your thoughts.
Aw what a great post!! The many faces of beautiful Miss Stella
Thank you so much! : )
Such great expressions on your face in those pics Buddy!! Love them
Luckily my Mum’s pretty good at reading my face and I usually get what I want – Tee Hee
Hope you’re having a fun day,
Your pal Snoopy
Thanks. Miss Stella is usually fairly clear about what it is she wants or needs. : ) It is the two-leggeds that have the most issues with this concept. Thanks for hanging out. : )
I’m such an expressive person, especially when it comes to my face. I can’t hide what I feel so that makes me open and honest along with my mouth that can’t stop talking lol. But sometimes what you’re thinking can be misunderstood. And people can project what they’re feeling onto you because they really have something to say but won’t say it. I have to say reading this, made my day because you are so right. And might I add, Ms Stella is still freaking adorable.
Thanks so much : ) I am glad you enjoyed reading this. It seems that sometimes so many things can be discovered or even avoided if people just talk. BTW, love your new gravatar! And your posts today were very cool. : )
Beautiful
Thank you so much. : )
Nice post. Stella’s so expressive. Every time I saw a new picture, I was thinking that’s my favorite. Then the next would come up. I think I like wild-eyed happy Stella the best.
Thanks.
Lol…we call that her ‘psycho~goof~newf’ look. She gets that often for some reason…mostly in the middle of play time. : )
I have had those conversations and they done made me mad! LOL
Love the pictures.
Lol…been in a few myself and witnessed quite a few. : )
Thanks…she has so many expressions…Lordy be if she could really talk! : )
Lots to think about. Love the pictures of Miss Stella.
Thank you…she tends to be the subject in front of my lens most often these days. : ) Thinking can be good…I think. : )
The 4th one is my favorite
Kari
dogisgodinreverse.com
Thanks…Miss Stella has so many expressions…if only she could sit and have a conversation with me. Especially when she has that ‘crazy’ face going on! : ) Now when others in my life, two legged that is, may have such an expression…not so sure I would want (or need!) to know. : )
Especially never assume that someone means to do something hurtful to you when they simply may have been thinking about something else. Good post.
Thank you. You are right…so many misunderstandings from just a look. Talking can help clear things up if we just take the risk. : )