Meeting Them Where They Are

Posted on July 22, 2021 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader:

The phrase ” meeting people where the are” has gained in popularity the past few years. What does this expression really mean? It means ” bridging the gap between your own expectations and where the other person is coming from. It means closely listening to understand their values, needs, desires, and even their trauma responses. It is a skill everyone should learn” ( Dawn Perez)

Being able to understand another’s position means holding back on negative judgment and instead taking time to objectively assess the situation and person’s personal position. With assessment one can get to the other person’s level to understand and interpret where they are and how best to help them.

Right now my family is dealing with this situation… it isn’t easy because people will rarely ask of you ” Meet me where I am.” We must take it upon ourselves to meet people where they are.

So until tomorrow novelist Brad Meltzer best sums up the situation with this quote-” Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.”

” Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

Lee, Ben’s son left yesterday to visit his dad in Conway-The medical technicians are still running tests so Ben is still in the hospital. Hopefully tomorrow the results of all the tests will have been assessed and we will have a clearer picture of what is going on. Hopefully Ben will be released this morning so Lee can bring him to my house to help him recuperate. We could use some prayers please! Thank you!

* Mother, Ben, and Lee ( photo)

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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2 Responses to Meeting Them Where They Are

  1. Rachel Edwards says:
    July 22, 2021 at 8:41 am

    Becky…I will be lifting Ben and you…and other family members in my prayers.

    Reply

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