happyboy

I read Bee's journal the other day, she is quite the darling with such a strong head on her shoulders. I love reading what she has to say because it often makes you think, sometimes about what is taken for granted.

What she wrote the other day had to do with communication, particularly, speaking the truth. I think the other half of that would be the value of listening. Most people are bad at, some are good, and a only a few are great at it.

"No man would listen to you talk if he didn't know it was his turn next"
--Edgar Watson Howe (American Editor, Novelist and Essayist known as the Sage of Potato Hill, 1853-1937

Taken out of context this snarky line rings true. Often, and I am guilty of this myself, rather then focusing completely on what some one is saying, we will be thinking about our respnse. We want to be profound, funny, involved, keep things going while we ignore the fact that we are missing point being made. Listening is hard, it's not just a tool, it's a talent, it takes patience.

"Difficult as it is really to listen to some in affliction, it is just as difficult for him to know that compassion is listening to him."
--Simone Weil (French social Philosopher, Mystic and Activist in the French Resistance during World War II

Listening is also a gift. Sometimes the best thing we can do is be there for some one when they are hurting or lonely, need to vent, or Grandpa wants to tell you a story about growing up during the Depression. You don't have to say or do anything but just be there.

"A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while he gets to learn something."
--Wilson Mizner (Playwright 1876-1933)

Listening isn't the answer to everything but imagine how better the world would be if we did it more and were better at it. Listening is respect and sharing is respect reciprocated. I'm not 100% sure where I am going with all this, if anything writing these things down sometimes helps me think about my own faults and what I need to work on.