Strategies of Success: What about me?

I read an article today in USA today about how self-centered we've become as a society. The author was stating that people in conversations these days often just talk about themselves and never even ask a single question of the person they're talking to.

I thought about that for a bit. Have we lost the ability to think about others? Or are there other reasons?

I'm interested in other people but often have had difficulty questioning them. It always feels a bit like prying. Plus I've always been a bit shy which no one who knows me believes. I also wonder if it goes back to an event when I was about 8 years old. I had blabbed (my mother's term) to a neighbor that I couldn't have a new bike because my Dad needed a new suit. My mother was furious with me or at least it seemed that way to my 8 year old brain. She told me to keep my mouth shut. No one needed to know our business and we didn't need to know theirs.

I'm sitting by the pool in Florida pondering why people aren't as curious about each other. I'm promising myself to ask more than I currently do. An elderly gentleman who I've known for many years at this timeshare comes up and says, "Tell me about your life. Are you happy?"

Now that's a questions!

Looking to connect better with the people in your life? Don't just tell about you - ask them about their lives. You'll be glad you did!