One Apple A Day #88
“One cannot not communicate: Every behavior is a form of communication. Because behavior does not have a counterpart (there is no anti-behavior), it is impossible not to communicate. Even if communication is being avoided (such as the unconscious use of non-verbals or symptom strategy), that is a form of communication.” —Paul Watzlawick
The words above are part of the first of the five basic axioms defined by Paul Watzlawick.
When I discovered this axiom, thanks to my sister’s graduation work, it was an epiphany.
One cannot not communicate. Communication is not only an essential part of our life. It’s inevitable. Even if you do your best to avoid it, your are communicating. The problem is that you’re giving away your control on how and what you are communicating.
The same principle applies to change and movement. Both are inevitable.
There’s nothing you can do to stop yourself from changing. Just think about the effect of time on your body. But again, if you don’t embrace the change you are letting forces from outside to drive it.
We often think we can’t avoid movement but, can you guess it? Yes, you cannot. Outside and inside everything is movement. Life is movement. The world your standing on is moving. The heart in your chest is beating. There are moments in which we would like to stand still, frightened by what can happen if we move. It’s just a waste of energy. If you don’t move, someone or something else will move you.
Communication, change and movement are the essential gears of life. Until there’s life, they keep spinning. Trying to avoid them or resist them is like going against the flow. It’s exhausting, and you won’t have any control on the outcomes. But if you embrace them and ride the flow, you can reach amazing places. And have a lot of fun along the way.