Since about 2000, the method of online communicating has boomed in popularity, making it so popular that it has now been integrated into our every day way of communication with friends, family, and co-workers. E-mail, video chat, and instant messaging text chat are all methods by which millions of people around the world use to communicate each and every day.

Below are some of the reasons why online communication technology has revolutionized the way that the human race maintains relationships with each other?

More Efficient Online communication mediums like IM chat, social media, and voice chat allows people have conversations instantly. Questions and answers can be instant, in half the time it takes to phone a co-worker or walk over to their office. Many workplaces use instant messaging every day to initiate talks between co-workers and to and from supervisors.

More Regularity Maintaining relationships with online communication methods is easier than attempting to talk regularly by phone or in-person. Users can talk whenever their friends or co-workers are online and available, instead of finding the time to set aside to talk to someone on the phone. Regular communication is key when maintaining healthy relationships with others.

More Convenient This goes a long with the point mentioned above. Users can converse with others via instant messenger while they are working on other projects on their computer, like reports or email. In addition, talking to multiple people at once is probably the most efficient and convenient aspect of using online communication.

Using regular online communication doesn’t have to cost any money. There are many free programs out there that allow for free and unlimited communication with other users.

Kelsey Childress is the owner of Awen Creative and is a Social Media and Internet Marketing Specialist. One of her clients, Brosix, is a two time winner in the About.com IM awards. Read more at http://blog.brosix.com/brosix-wins-best-im-feature-of-2010-in-aboutcom-im-awards/. To try a free 30-day trial of Brosix, check out http://www.brosix.com.

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If you were asked about your local community, would you describe it as a place you live in or something you feel a part of? Sadly, a lot of people today say they hardly know the people who live in their own neighborhood. Many fail to realize that getting to know people in their community can present a vast amount of benefits both to themselves and the people around them. Here are just some of the reasons:

Feel safer
Neighborhoods where people are familiar with each other often feel more secure. If your neighbors are your friends, they are more likely to notice if there is any suspicious activity around your home. These communities are also more likely to have a neighborhood watch schemes in place which makes the whole community feel safer.

Improve your community
Forming or being part of a community group also presents the opportunity to hold discussion groups or meetings regarding problems or needs in the local area. It gives you a chance to have your voice and opinions heard and a way for the community to work together to resolve them for everyone’s best interest. Community groups are also great launching pads for projects that help improve the neighborhood, e.g., graffiti clean-up or campaigning for better local services.

Club together
If you know people in your community, you might be able to arrange carpools – saving you money and helping the environment too. You will also have people to rely on to feed your cats or keep an eye on your house if you go on vacation.

Enjoy socializing
Knowing people in your community can be enjoyable, too. You could discover some great friends who live in the same area and your community might even arrange block parties or barbeques that are fun for all the family and help build community spirit.

Feel happier
Lastly, a lot of people would agree that knowing others and being known in your community makes it a friendlier and happier place to be!

So how do I get involved in my local community?
If your community doesn’t already have its own group or clubs to join, you might want to try forming some. Why not post an invite for other locals interested in bringing your particular community together? You can connect with and meet people in your local area who have the same desire. Once your meeting takes place, you can discuss your ideas to start a local group and help bring your community together.

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A powerful community movement has been growing on Chicago’s west side. It’s called, “Every Block a Village” or “EBV,” where neighbors reach out to help each other. EBV touches the lives of hundreds – including children, teens, adults, families, seniors and ex-offenders – covering about 100 blocks in the Austin community.
It began simply in 1996, when Virgil Crawford started knocking on doors in Chicago’s Austin community to talk to residents. He had been hired by Jacque Reed, CEO/President of Westside Health Authority, who was concerned about negative stereotyping of African-Americans, and wanted to bring the community together in a positive way. Reed hired Virgil Crawford, a tireless organizer and friend, to help propel the community forward.

At first, Crawford asked residents to celebrate their stories and share ideas with each other. Crawford realized that if it takes a village to raise a child, residents first had to build a village. “I think this is a calling,” Crawford said. “This is my life… My responsibility was to begin organizing around community wellness.”

The community meetings Crawford convened led to the creation of EBV, where residents volunteer to be Citizen Leaders, in order to do service on their blocks and the larger community. Citizen Leaders build caring and sharing relationships among neighbors, which promotes community healing from within. Through EBV activities, west side residents find physical, emotional, mental and spiritual support.

EBV is the cornerstone of the Westside Health Authority; a community based organization focused on improving health and well-being in Austin. Jacqueline Reed founded WHA in 1991 because of concerns about the decline of Austin and the loss of St. Anne’s Hospital in 1988. “The goal was to influence the culture of the community,” said Reed, “from a culture of expecting others to solve community problems to believing in their own ideas, and using their own capacity to improve the community…”

The idea behind EBV is that everyone has a gift to share, and when people are forgotten, when they slip through the cracks, the community suffers from the loss of that person’s contribution. Citizen Leaders take on leading roles in schools, parks and other institutions and are empowered as they see their vision benefit the community. Citizen Leaders have provided valued contributions to countless efforts, some in partnership with WHA, others independent of the agency. There are dozens of EBV stories, here is just one:

Reverend Reuben Robinson, Citizen Leader, Volunteer Gymnastics Coach
A former Jesse White tumbler, Reverend Reuben Robinson was saddened to see children in his community jumping on dirty mattresses in alleys after school. With few school programs for the children, Robinson and a neighbor, Mike Wells began coaching a baseball team. Soon, several hundred children were involved. “We trained raw talent,” said Robinson. “We took them from not knowing how to catch a ball to really loving the game. Some got really good… going to New York, playing in the Little League World Series.”

Since baseball was seasonal, Robinson started a tumbling team for boys 7-20 years old during off-season. Every Tuesday, from 6-8:00 p.m., he gathered students together at San Miguel School in Chicago. On the first day of gymnastics, thirty-five children were ready to learn. Now, there are over one hundred children involved, at no cost to the families.

“We train all year long. In the summer, we do tours, events and shows,” said Robinson. Many of the children contend with the challenges of an incarcerated parent. Robinson realized his work could help children in their healing. “We step in for the men,” he explains. “We tell them – we got programs for your kids. While we work on them, you work on yourself.” Robinson’s goal is to create a family healing, both physically and spiritually. His ever-growing circle of youthful participants serves as testimony to the benefits from his free service. As he continues promoting self-esteem through gymnastics, Robinson hopes to get funding for a larger space to accommodate more children in need.
Robinson’s commitment to helping his community is an inspiring example of the difference that one person can make.

Lynn B. Sanders, President of Park Avenue Productions, an award-winning creative writing and production company, offers motivational, promotional and educational films and material to make a positive difference in the world. Her focus is on subjects of social justice, diversity, healthcare, the environment, education, personal history stories and spirituality.

Lynn was the writer/producer of the nationally award-winning patient safety film, “Things You Should Know Before Entering The Hospital,” which is intended to help consumers prevent unnecessary infections or medical errors while in the hospital It is sold on numerous websites, including http://www.patientsafetyvideo.com Lynn is also in process of creating a musical about Amelia Earhart, and offers motivational and educational programs on healthcare as well as creative writing. For more information, see http://www.parkaveproductions.com

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The buzz word for saving a marriage nowadays seems to be ‘communicate’. It is as if it will automatically zip up all conflicts and resolve all hurts. It may seem a simple word but it can be quite difficult for one to practice.

There are some pointers for a couple with marital problems to learn the right communication skills before using them correctly to fix their communication in marriage problems.

Your spouse is the closest human relation on earth to you; hence it is your rightful duty, as per your marriage vows, to treat each other well. Each has to look out for the welfare of the other and give one’s spouse the best of oneself. But most of us tend to react the other way; we are most polite to strangers but rude and critical with our spouse. We tend to take our loved ones for granted. Hence, before good communication can happen between the married couple, they must remember their status in each other’s lives and be given top priority at all times.

Communication Between Spouses

Communication is the process of conveying some message to another. Hence, the right words must be chosen as words, once delivered, cannot be retracted. It is so important to choose your words carefully so that the correct message is conveyed without inferences and guesswork. Always sort out your words first before voicing to avoid misunderstanding and create conflict.

This is especially necessary if your marriage is not too stable when you wish to communicate to resolve issues. Put yourself in your spouse’s shoes to feel how your words might impact him/her.

Another point about communication is the timing. To have an effective communication, it must be done at the right moment. Do not try to communicate when one party is busy or not alert in mind. Your spouse may be sleepy or tired; there will be no positive impact and you will end up being frustrated with the brick wall of communication. Both parties should be calm and ready to deal with the issue at hand for a resolution. That will be the best time to communicate your feelings and thoughts without being accusing or defensive.

Avoid emotional outbursts which tend to turn the spouse away or shut off his mind. This kills all forms of resolution to any disagreement or conflict in the marriage. Raising voices and yelling at each other tear down respect for one another which causes more hurt and frustration.

Communication is conducive when the location is right. Crowded places or in front of your children will not do. The place should be comfortable and secure for both parties so that openness is encouraged. The bedroom is a good choice for privacy and a reflection of intimacy for good communication between the couple.

There are many ways to communicate effectively besides words; one can touch or embrace, give a smile or a kiss. These help to relax the other party and allow softer communication to take place which is more productive. Choose nonverbal gestures of communication to promote respect, love and desire to resolve marital conflict.

MORGAN JOHNS is a relationship expert and the owner of http://www.howtosavemarriagetoday.com.

Source of information about Communication in Marriage visit the website for a Free 10 Step Mini Course to Help Save Your Marriage.

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