There Are Many Voices Beside Ours

It is not easy to simply listen to others tell their stories. For most people that I know, listening to a story is simply waiting for the next opportunity to butt in and start blurting their own version of a story. Listening is hard. However I have learned a lot more by simply listening. If I do not agree, I try to say so only if it matters. In most cases I do not think that it was worth discussing. It always depends on the situation and the people involved. But it is not easy to blurt out what's on my mind. Active intentional listening to understand the one speaking as he or she intends to communicate. What is the message being conveyed? Observe. Listen. Then Act. Shalom!