Why do we listen to everybody else when we know better? Who is "they" and when did they become so powerful?
I lost my voice. People have all kinds of ideas about what might help. "They" say you should... (insert advice here). I had a moment where I just closed my eyes and went internal. It helps to tune everyone else out. I know what I need to do (and my doctor appointment is coming up).
The idea of peer pressure and following others is all over the place. There are social media "influencers" and everyone wants "followers." We need to listen to ourselves.
What do you think of when you hear the word "communicating?" Is it speaking? If you have to communicate, what do you have to do? Talk? Sing? Express your idea?
After coming across these two quotes, I'm reminded that listening is an even more important part of communication.
Communicate: share or exchange information, news or ideas. (Oxford Languages)
This Thanksgiving, I'm grateful for my ears. I hope to use them wisely and better. Happy holiday season everyone! Blessed be.
Blog days are tough when it's a travel day too. I had two days of car travel with a napping toddler. The main thing to do was listen to the material for this week's rehearsals. Then this morning, this article found its way to me over breakfast:
There we were in the backyard. He kept saying, "Truck! Truck!" I said that I didn't see a truck anywhere, but ok - truck. Then he said, "Listen."
WHAT??? I didn't even know he could say the word "listen" - and he used it correctly in the appropriate context! I listened. Sure enough, there was the sound of a truck on the road nearby. I could hardly believe it. We spent some time listening and identifying sounds.
Shortly afterwards, we took a trip to the library, where the librarian showed us a puzzle with different vehicles (truck, airplane, helicopter, ambulance, etc.). When you put a puzzle piece in correctly, it makes the corresponding sound. While still at the library, the noon whistle went off at a nearby fire station. He exclaimed, "SIREN!" :)
I guess this week is about listening. Thanks Zachary, for reminding Mommy to listen. Lead the way, kid. xo
"Most people do not listen with the intent to understand;
I had a writing session in Manhattan this week. The first thing I noticed after I parked the car was the giant "TD" on the building across the street. :)
With a smile, I headed to Starbucks. I ordered two sandwiches and some drinks for myself and the other writer. After spontaneously bursting out into song and dance when The Temptations' "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" came on - at THE SAME EXACT MOMENT the cashier did the same thing (causing several other customers and me to laugh) - my drink order came up and I hurried out to my session.
I had almost already passed by the homeless man out in front by the time I noticed him sitting there. I mentally reviewed my purchase, regretfully thinking that I had nothing extra to give, and kept moving, when I realized that I didn't even have my own sandwiches. I left without them! I turned around and headed back in, this time getting a full view of the man on the bench holding a sign. I inquired at the counter and was directed to the station that would be producing my two sandwiches shortly. The girl called my name and held up three sandwiches. I asked which two were mine.
"All of them," was her response.
"I only ordered two."
"You paid for three. You can get a refund at the counter if you'd like." She indicated where the registers were. I didn't have time for that and collected all three from her. As soon as I turned toward the door, I realized who the third sandwich was for.
"Ohhhh!" I said aloud as if God was standing there waiting for me to get it. I walked out and gave it to its intended recipient. "They gave me an extra sandwich. It's turkey bacon." The genuine "Thanks!" and smile had me thinking of all the signs we're given that we sometimes miss when we're too busy to notice. I almost hadn't noticed this man at all and was rushing to arrive to my session on time. God probably talks to us all the time like that. If only we heard the message more often.
The rehearsal studio was undergoing construction and the lobby on the main level was down to wall studs. My eyes scanned the elevator doors and their unfinished and wall-less edges, looking for the button. The attendant sat nearby like he was posing for a video shoot where he was playing the role of the despondent doorman. Smiling as I met his gaze, I asked him if there was a button or if it would just open when it came down. He pointed to the center of the two elevator doors and said, "the arrows." I laughed out loud when I followed his finger to a sign with THREE LARGE ARROWS pointing to a button to "PRESS HERE" for the elevator. He laughed out loud too! He said he got that all day long. Talk about being oblivious to the signs! There it was, in neon arrows! The day's events were reminding me of this scene in "Bruce Almighty."
Here's wishing us all a week in the God zone, where we see the signs. ;)
