LISTEN

I met two very interesting walkers this morning.  You can always tell the walkers who might be interested in a conversation---number one- they are not walking as if on a mission and number two they are actually looking at their surroundings.  We struck up some small talk when they walked by and petted Hero as I scooped up his poop.  I came away from our walk and talk with two distinct impressions I will share.  

The first one--I have begun noticing almost everyone out walking is younger than me.  NOW, I know there are others in my age bracket living here in Fort Worth, but they do not seem to be out walking in the early morning hours.  AND---even when I think I am about the age of the one I am approaching---I am caught a little off guard to discover they are more than a decade younger than me.  In the eyes of the world, I am an old lady---BUT in my head---I do not feel like an old lady.   It is a strange phenomena that inside your head---you still feel the same as you did decades ago.  It's as if my mind is ageless.  The wear and tear on my body reveals my physical age, but my thoughts seem to be ageless.  Am I the only one to experience this sensation?  I would really like to hear how you feel about this perception.

The second thing----if you listen carefully---even when you know you are not on the same page in many areas of your philosophies, you will find many have lead interesting lives.  It requires the ability to listen without trying to convince the speaker of where they are wrong or what you have to say is more important.    Although, I am certain---my life has been very different from these two walkers---I came away intrigued by the conversation.  Would I dare say we come from completely different spectrums on a number of points?  BUT, by being willing to keep still--just listen--I walked away knowing where their beliefs come from and intrigued to consider some of their points.  They both were scientist---and their ideas about modern medicine, vaccines, and the whys of all that has happened since the pandemic were fascinating.  One had a military background and had retired as a major--had a BS in micro biology and a MS in microbiology and the other was a pathologist.  They both had worked in science related fields there entire careers.  There was reason, knowledge and experience behind their thoughts.  They both had lived in a wide variety of locations, and we shared the experience of caring for aging family members.  By listening--I came away with an idea of why others are on a different page than I am on a variety of subjects.  I was not threatened by their difference of opinions from mine, but instead enlightened as to why they were different from mine.  We spoke of listening earlier this year---and once again, I am so glad I read The Listening Life.  Do you dare to listen without being threatened by the differences of others?  Are your opinions well grounded enough to listen to the reasoning of another without being threatened?  It was an interesting morning walk---I am glad I asked the questions and listened to the replies without the need to change their minds.  Something tells me---my witness will be much stronger if I first listen--with kindness and respect.  A strong witness comes with mutual respect and the key to respect is your attitude toward others.  Search the scriptures---Jesus listened well. 

"Pay attention to how you listen!"

Luke 8:18 CEV