The most frustrating aspect of any relationship are the parts that are misunderstood by one of the two parties. The level of frustration increases depending on the severity of the misunderstanding. As it escalates into confusion, emotional damage is sometimes taken on making it difficult for the relationship to thrive.
Architects generate construction documents and specifications for an Owner’s project prior to a Contractor being awarded the job. The Contractor is then given the Architect’s work for pricing. If the Owner of the property where the new or renovated building project is to be constructed agrees to the price, those two entities contract with each other, and the Contractor proceeds with constructing that which the Architect designed. Essentially, the Architect from that point forward represents the Owner as an Attorney would. He monitors the Contractor’s workmanship, reviews monthly Pay Request(s), etc. until the construction project is complete.
Architects must be able to communicate every aspect of the building project via drawings and the written word before the first shovelful of dirt is moved. They’re there to communicate to the Contractor and the Owner what’s being proposed to “go under / in the hood / ‘hood” down to the very last detail utilizing graphical / written standards. Usually, the Architect hires consultants to design the structural, mechanical, and electrical systems that will work in tandem with him to support his building design. Those drawings and specifications are the responsibility of those consultants, though they are eventually assimilated into the same set with the drawings / specs that were generated by the Architect.
So there’s your lesson on what it means to be an Architect. The best Architects are the ones who can communicate themselves successfully. For their work is a part of them. The worst Architects are the ones who flounder in this regard, leaving their clients and the Contractor confused and frustrated. No level of creativity can usurp the importance of successful communication. And it must be mentioned that successful communication always requires competent listening and comprehension skills as well.
Communication is a key to success for an Architect.
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I consider myself to be a moderately good communicator. On most occasions, it depends on my mood. When I started this blog, I used videos to communicate my thoughts / embarrass myself. I felt that it was an efficient means both for me and for the viewer to learn / be entertained. Then I wrote a narrative for a friend and he persuaded me to continue writing fiction. So, the narratives were born and eventually published here as well. Both methods of communicating, I believe, reach a different audience or at least that’s my hope.
The most difficult person in my life to communicate successfully with is my father. This has always been the case for me. Whether I’m speaking directly to him, talking over the telephone, or writing emails, I have found that there’s no silver bullet. Sometimes we hear each other clearly and other times not.
The easiest person in my life to communicate successful with is my wife. This has always been the case for me. Whether I’m speaking directly to her, talking over the telephone, or writing emails, I know that my communications will get through intact. Knowing that she’s a pathetic liar also helps in this regard.
Many gay / lesbian individuals communicate well but end up in families where other members do not. And I’m not talking about coming out of the closet when you’re 16. I’m talking about from conception onward, something is awry.
Gays / lesbians are very sensitive individuals. They get their feelings hurt easily. They take offense. They become jaded and emotionally damaged easily. Frustrating / confusing relationships between them and other family members can provoke this.
Why does God oftentimes put gay / lesbian people within families like this? To understand a gay / lesbian person to begin with is hard enough. Why complicate things that much further?
Many frustrated / emotionally wounded gays / lesbians ditch their families completely once they’ve found other individuals who they can successfully communicate with i.e. individuals who understand them. Can you blame them? Of course not. Who wants to go through life misunderstood?
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I had lunch with a new friend this week who talked about his love of journaling. I can relate. Essentially, this blog is just that despite the fact that it’s open to the public to read.
So why is it open to the public?
It’s open to the public because I LOVE the attention and want to provide a voice to men like myself. Men who are gay and Christian. Men who aren’t interested in compromising their faith for their sexual desires. Men who want to be / are husbands and fathers.
But mainly, it’s because I want to be understood.
