วันจันทร์ที่ 18 กุมภาพันธ์ พ.ศ. 2551

Are You Listening?

Author : Nancy Bishop
To celebrate May Day, I knelt down in a field of daffodils and was kissed by the morning dew. It was so quiet except for the bees humming and the occasional bird song.It reminded me that we all need to find or create our own sacred spaces; havens and respites from the endlessly noisy and complicated times we are living in. Places of retreat where
there are no cell phones ringing, music playing, and people talking. Where the rush of traffic is replaced by the soothing sound of a nearby stream. Places where we can just listen.Listening is an art form that for many of us is lost. Today,
we have some of the most amazing ways to communicate, and yet,
we miss one of the most important elements of communicating
and that is listening.Most of us really want to be heard and to be recognized
for who we are. We want to feel like we matter and have
a purpose in the world. Can you remember a time in your
life where you felt that someone really listened to you and
heard you? How did this impact you?I think we are all guilty of thinking we are listening
to our children, partners and friends when what we are actually
doing is preparing for what we will say in response. That silent
pause (you know the one I'm talking about) is deafening.
How can we avoid it? Most of us rush in with something
to say just to fill in the space. Yet, it is in this stillness, this pregnant pause, that ideas, emotions and all creativity is born.When we are able to put aside our own thoughts, judgments,
and concerns and truly hear what "the soul" is saying we become transformed by the act of listening. Listening then becomes a gift we both give and receive.In this month of incredible renewal may you find luscious
moments of pure listening.
Keyword : listen, sacred spaces, silence, relationships, peace, rest, retreat, purpose, communication,soul

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