We all have certain morning routines — habits we’ve fallen into.
Things like:
- waking up at a certain time
- eating the same breakfast
- drinking coffee or tea
- exercising or maybe taking our dogs for a walk
- getting out the door and on the road at the same time
What if we started off each day determining to talk less and listen more? How would our lives change? Do you even think, “Hey, I want to learn something new?” at the start of each new day?
I have to confess, I don’t.
But I agree with Larry King: I’m not going to learn anything new if I do all the talking.
So, here’s a challenge for all of us today: How about we talk less and listen more — and see what interesting, fun, unexpected things we learn today.
In Your Words: What’s something interesting you learned when you let someone else do the talking?
In Others' Words: Listen and Learn http://bit.ly/2y6r1ZD #quotes #perspective Click To Tweet 'I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So if I'm going to learn, I must do it by listening.' Quote by Larry King http://bit.ly/2y6r1ZD #listen #learn Click To Tweet
Comments 12
My favourite Blackwater poster carries this message:
“Sorry, I can’t hear you over the sound of how awesome I am.”
Seriously, though I’m not awesome, I AM in a place for which no road maps existed for me – terminal cancer, no insurance, and a physical support system that is by necessity sketchy at best. My wife has to make a living, and however horrid the day becomes, I have to meet my responsibilities for myself, and for the dogs.
No matter who made the mess (usually me, now), it has to be cleaned up.
I thereby have to listen – carefully – to myself, because my words can bring calm or storm, hope or despair. If I hear myself asking ‘Why me?’, I’ve got to jump all over that with a ‘Why NOT me?’
How I got here doesn’t matter. It’s what I do, RIGht NOW, that makes a difference.
It’s up to me, and having responsibilities to others, I won’t let them down.
And I’ll listen to me, and won’t let me down, either.
Author
Andrew: I met you in the midst of your journey with cancer. And I’ve learned quite a lot of truth listening to you. Today you words, “No matter who made the mess … it has to be cleaned up” are causing me to pause and think.
Praying for you, my friend.
If I listen long enough, sometimes I find that others may basically be saying the same thing but maybe with different terms and examples. I’m learning to listen for the heart of what is being said instead of getting caught in the specifics. A friend used to say something like, “your red words entering my blue mind created my purple understanding.” True, that.
Author
Oh, Dee, there is so much wisdom in what you said. Listening for the heart of what is being said can make such a difference in our response!
When I pause to listen and wait to speak, I learn more about the person. 🙂
Author
Good morning, Melissa:
Such insight — because shouldn’t we want to know someone better at the end of an exchange? 🙂
I can be a chatterbox. I’ve always had that ability. So learning to listen for and hear God’s voice has come as a large challenge. I’m nowhere near perfect at it yet, but I’ve come a long way. One thing I like to do is lay very still in the morning and just take in the quietness around me. Since I live alone, there is plenty of that to go around… until I start working with my characters in whichever project I’m working on. (I think they take after me, because they can chat up the place just fine.) But in those moments before I jump-start the day, I listen for whatever it is God needs me to hear to start the day off right. Sometimes it’s a reminder of a thing I need to get done today. Other times it’s a word of encouragement. There are days when it’s just lying there knowing that He’s God and soaking in what that means for me today… and every day. Whatever comes to me from Him in those moments, I eat it up like I’m starving to death. Because I love hearing from Him personally. That completely makes my day and plants the biggest smile on my face, no matter what tragedy decides to pop up. “Be still and know that I am God” is a verse I often quote in those quiet moments, because I want God to know that it’s Him I’m honoring in those moments, not the silence itself and definitely not me.
Sorry this got longwinded. I did warn you, though. I’m a bit of a chatterbox. 🙂
Hugs and blessings, Beth.
Author
🙂
Andrea: I so appreciate your reminder to listen for God’s voice and what He might say to each and every day. Thank you.
I’m not perfect at it, Beth, but I try hard every day to remember to shut up and listen for at least a little while. 😉
Thank you for this reminder.
My practice over the last week has been to refrain from any and all advice-giving. If someone is telling me about their life, and doesn’t ask for advice, I’m trying to catch myself before offering it. I’m trying to work through why I feel compelled to do that, instead of accepting the gift of their story. Thank you for this post. It’s nice to be growing in an area, and read about someone else doing the same. It’s good not to be alone.
Author
Jae: I so appreciate your comment. I also like what you’re practicing — refraining from giving advice and choosing to listen to others. So wise and compassionate.