Alexandra Bogdanovic's Blog: That's life... - Posts Tagged "communication"

When it comes to writing, everyone's got an opinion. And in my humble opinion, J.K. Rowling is a genius. So, for that matter, is her "alter-ego" Robert Galbraith.
While I realize that her (their?) genius is a matter of considerable debate in literary circles and the among general public, that is not the topic of this post. However, it is tangential to the point I'm about to make.
Bear with me just a little while longer, and you'll see why.
In the opening pages of The Silkworm, our hero, Cormoran Strike, meets with a journalist. During the course of their conversation, the journalist, Culpepper, asks Strike how he got someone "to talk."
"I listened," Strike says.
And that simple bit of dialogue -- that little snippet --is what brings me (albeit it a bit belatedly) to my point.
He listened.
Just stop and think about that for a second. Let it sink in.
Now ask yourself this: in the day-to-day craziness of 21st century life, when was the last time I listened to someone?
In this instant information age, when was the last time I had a personal conversation without being distracted or interrupted by an incoming text or phone call?
Am I really "plugged in" to the world? Or am I out of touch with life?
Which matters more?
In this age of rampant narcissism and instant gratification, when was the last time I listened to someone without interrupting to share my opinion?
At a time when making and spreading harsh judgments about others based on limited or inaccurate information is celebrated, when was the last time I listened without judging?
At a time when I'm faced with so many demands I can hardly hear myself think, when was the last time I stopped long enough to listen to a child's laughter? Or waves lapping on the shore? Or gentle rainfall on the roof? Or birds chirping in the morning? Or leaves rustling in the breeze?
Then take a deep breath. Exhale. Find a quiet place to listen to your inner voice... and follow it where ever it may lead.
Until next time, "That's life..."

For some reason my friends are on my mind quite a bit these days. Perhaps it's because I haven't seen any of them for a while -- although that's hardly unusual.
Some of my closest friends live in other states. Some live nearby. But geography isn't the issue. All of us are busy.
Lately it seems we've all been extremely busy. Too busy to return phone calls. Too busy to return texts. Too caught up in the stress and frenetic pace of 21st century life to put our own issues aside.
It's not an indictment. I'm not upset. In fact I've never judged or based friendships solely on the amount of time people are willing to invest. I measure them against far more intrinsic values.
My dearest friends aren't the people I've known the longest or those that I hang out with most. They are the people who have been loyal through thick and thin. They've put up with the drama and they've never hesitated to give me a swift kick in the butt when I needed one most. They haven't asked me to trust them. They've just shown that I can.
There's a fierce, unspoken bond. I know they've always got my back. And I'll always have theirs.
My closest friends are an elite group. I can count them on one hand.
As I do, I remember something my father always said. He told me that you'll be lucky to have a few truly good friends in life.
I am definitely a lucky girl.
Until next time, "That's life..."