In Others’ Words: The Reward of Listening

I enjoy a good conversation, don’t you?

The give and take. The exchange of ideas. The back and forth of opinions. I don’t even mind if things get a bit heated, so long as people are respectful of one another. I especially enjoy talking and laughing with people. That is the best of times.

But sometimes when I’m with a group of friends or even if I’m in a large group of people, like at a writers conference, I sit back and just listen. And those times, when I don’t say anything at all, are some of my most memorable conversations. I learn something new about a friend. I glean a bit of truth I hadn’t realized before. I realize something about myself reflected in someone else’s words or actions — something I need to change, or something I need to do more often.

Oh sure, I could have added my proverbial two cents to any of those conversations, but I often realize what I wanted to say wouldn’t have enriched the exchange of ideas all that much. 

And somehow I’m encouraged by not talking . I know someone else better … or I know myself better. Wiser for listening.

In Your Words: What wisdom have you earned from listening?

In Others\’ Words: The Reward of Listening http://wp.me/p63waO-2jR #InOthersWords #quotes #areyoulistening

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\”Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening…\” http://wp.me/p63waO-2jR #quotes #areyoulistening #bewise

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