sometimes it’s not about science and data

First of all, happy Mother’s Day to the incredible women guiding us, raising us, and selflessly loving us. I hope you had a beautiful weekend. You deserve it! 

I hate to break it to ya. Sometimes it’s not about science and data. Buckle up. In this week’s AMC Newsletter, I’m going “rogue.” 

I mentioned here that I’m mystified by the spring season every time it breezes in. For those of you who don’t know, in my full-time role I am a journalism and communication professor at a small, private university tucked away in the Enchanted Mountains of western New York. I work at the highly regarded and accredited Jandoli School of Communication at St. Bonaventure University, also my beloved alma mater. It’s a sacred place for many reasons. This time of year affords me the chance to reflect on that.  

It’s graduation season. This year we’re graduating the class that arrived in the COVID 2020 fall. We were boots on the ground, masks on the face back then. What a ride. In almost a silent agreement we made a choice. We banded together and willingly decided to work through the stress, confusion, and setbacks. As time went on we formed a deeper and more sincere appreciation and comradery for the teaching and learning exchange than I had ever experienced. At some point along the way, it was almost like our very own personal spring came into bloom and I witnessed success after success and now here we are at graduation.

This week, I thought I’d share with you what I wrote to some of my beloved students headed out to positively shape the world’s communicative future. It is my intention this week, that my words below give you a deeper sense of how to more consciously approach the sacred practice and teachings of communication.

Dear students, 

Time. We talk about it like money. You only have so much time. Never forget to stop and observe the world around you. Put the mobile devices away. Engage your senses. Slow down and patiently allow the world to speak to you. Listen to it. It will feed your intuition. Your intuition is your most important data processor and communication tool. It will teach you self-awareness, which is the most important practice in mindful and effective communication. It will tell you exactly what you need to know if you take care of it.  

Don’t be like the rest of them. You are you. You are not them. A few ways to ensure you remember this; never forget where you come from, where you are going, and what you love. Remember what you stand for. Don’t let the bastards get you down. They’ll try. Let it roll off your back. Communicate without communicating. Let it be. It will resolve itself. Sometimes silence is the best form of communication. Remind the inner monologue of this as often as necessary. 

You can and you will. Your words and your thoughts have immense weight. Every single word and thought. The difference between the successful and the non-successful is that the extraordinary people in this world are willing to endure the tests of time. Rainy days will come. Time will pass and it will appear as though your dreams or your passions have drifted out to sea. When we lose faith, when we lose hope, this means death to our dreams, but when we remember good things take time, one day when we least expect it, our dreams come true and grander than we’ve ever imagined. Always speak your dreams into existence. Surround yourself with strong, positive people. You are the company you keep and what they say and do will shape your life, and vice versa.  

Trust. It’s all you’ve got at the end of the day. Trust is earned in small actions every minute of the day, as you should know by now. First, work to trust yourself and your intuition. Next, work to earn the trust of others. Third, determine who is eligible to earn your trust. Trust is the grandest journey you will take and it has everything to do with your ability to truthfully communicate. Show up for people. Go out of your way. But always remember your boundaries and limits. Yes. It’s a delicate dance.  

Gratitude. Communicate gratitude every damn day. Say thank you for every bite of food, every restful night of sleep, and every phone call from your mother. Find the thanks in every breath and every heartbeat you are granted. Honor your life by speaking gratitude and when possible, cry tears of gratitude. It’s always possible. Every minute you're alive is a moment to be grateful, no matter the circumstances. Get comfortable believing in the immense power of thanks. 

Give back to others AND yourself. Be good to homeless people. Handwrite your thank you cards. Eat candy. Go on vacation. Buy yourself and others flowers. Laugh at least once per hour. Play with your dog. Turn the music up loud. Buy the car with the sunroof. Every day, fall deeper and deeper in love with your life. And when you’re having a rough day, call up your best friend from St. Bonaventure and talk about the good old days. Don’t text, talk. Talk for hours. Somehow our fondest memories of simpler times always manage to heal. 

The point is, communicate truth, love, and goodness in everything you do. Communicating these things in every action will lead you to your purpose. If you can’t communicate, you got nothin’. 

It’s been a pleasure working with you and learning from you. Now get out there and make this world a little better than you found it, Mindfully Speaking. 

Pax et Bonum,   

Prof. AB 

To my Anna Michele Communications subscribers and readers, if you liked today’s newsletter, send it to a friend!  

Ps. In honor of Mother’s Day, I dedicate this newsletter to my beautiful mother, Anita Serra, who is my first and favorite communication teacher. Thank you for loving me endlessly and giving me all your faith. 

Mindfully Speaking, 

Anna Michele Bulszewicz

Founder, Anna Michele Communications