Are You Listening?

This week’s suggestion is not too difficult for me: “Listen more than you talk.” I’m not a big talker. To some family and close friends I have been known to open up on occasion. And, when I’m giving a presentation or sermon I use some of my foibles and shortcomings to make fun of myself, but those are carefully chosen. I don’t think any of us tell all about ourselves. But talking is some people’s way to sort things out in their lives. They have a need to express themselves verbally. Talker or not, listening to others—really listening—is something we all need to practice. When someone is talking to me, I try to pick up on something they are saying and respond to it so they know I’m listening. Talkers or not, we have a real need to be acknowledged by others. Are you listening?