Here's a little something that I've learned in SSW
I figured I'd rap about it to ensure it wouldn't trouble you
I had a good start to the semester going to classes each week
Like my ass is in need
Of a higher graded mark to succeed
So in order to meet
The requirements that I seek
To proceed through college
I need knowledge
So I planted the seed
Today that seed of knowledge has developed into a tree
Cause I put my mind in the mind frame and self fulfilled my prophecy
My legacy, my monarchy like peak experience is to Maslow's hierarchy
The kind of stuff we learned in Laura's class like showing empathy
Or I - It communication which really merits frustration
Basing the way you treat people on occupation seems mistaken
When you show respect to others in similar conversation
When I'm in the situation to avoid feelings of degradation
I take my time and reflect so that the words I choose to use always demonstrate respect

The putting down of someone's confidence and self esteem
Is but a means of crushing dreams
Like a vulture I'm sitting upon a beam, plotting plots, scheming schemes
Giving people labels and names that are intentionally mean

Labels and names with intention to hurt
Identity script since birth
The kinds of labels and words
That one would, without thinking
Tend to blurt
And often leave in the dirt
A person's sense of self worth
Now I'm spitting flow on Johari's window
Red, yellow, blue, and green all give you self info
I let my friends see the blue in me
They knew how to get through to me
I now know things I didn't before; info that's new to me
I've also learned about events and how we conceive 'em
How we feel about it depends entirely on how we perceive 'em
We add meaning to messages as soon as we receive 'em
Yet sometime's these interpretations do nothing but deceive
So I never leave
A conversation without first asking the other person's confirmation
On the verbal retaliation, my interpretation of what they said
Not a direct quotation, but instead

Their opinions in my own words slurred
And when transferred back stirred
Feelings that before being heard
They never knew even existed
Feelings that consisted
Of opinions you assisted
Bring the truth out in how twisted
And biased their point of view was that they insisted
And persisted was the truth
However truth varies from person to person
It's like a misconception
The inconsistencies are what's known to us as a different perception
Knowing this I've learned to listen carefully and judgment free
When communicating emotionally I tend to see the talk that comes non verbally
Observably it all seems quite absurd to me the way we can hear what someone has to say without even a word cause he
Said what he had to without even moving his lips
His expression, tone of voice and gestures; his hands on his hips
Meanings hidden and cocooned like the sun is behind the moon
Hidden meanings are what I'd like to call a verbal eclipse

Another thing I learned was to invest in a relationship
Showing that you're concerned and showing them appreciation it
Should only confirm that you're ready for this I-You to turn
Into a friendship with intentions of keeping it going long-term

By commitment, trust and self disclosure
3 factors of climate meant to bring 2 people closer
These factors help tell real friends apart from posers
When it's over we will see these fake friends receive exposure

What happens next depends on how you deal with conflict
You can either walk away or argue the opinions that contradict
Some ways of dealing with your feelings can do nothing but inflict
Harm to our relationships that we couldn't predict
That's why I've learned to try and find a win-win resolution
So that both me and my friend can stand to gain from the confusion
As opposed to having my friend' loss serve as my solution
I would compromise with him and we'd both offer contribution
Cause we're both trying to fix the conflict with which we are presented
Instead of managing it poorly and ending up being resented
Therefore I always voice the issue at hand
As opposed to neglecting response to avoid reprimand
In conclusion
I've managed to learn a lot from this course
And how to endorse
Feelings that come out straight from the source
Of emotion
It's given me a new found empathy, a new found notion
My devotion to living conflict free, free of commotion
Cause I understand that things don't often come in black and white
There isn't always one side who's wrong and one side who is right
So stop trying to redeem yourself and stop trying to start a fight
Cause no matter what we try to make ourselves look like the White Knight