just for today…listen

We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.  

— Epictetus

The greatest gift we give to others is to listen…really listen. The habits we tend to nurture are not the best ones. For example, we are usually too busy thinking about what we are going to say to someone when they finish speaking, rather than listening – closely, intently and with presence to the speaker and deeply to what is being said.

As a coach, I know the importance and the power of listening to what someone is saying. And…don’t we all simply wish to be seen and heard? Listening, not just hearing, is the gift. We hear lots of cacophonous sounds, many of which serve to distract us from listening to someone whom we are with.

Seems listening can be very challenging.

The greatest gift we give to ourselves is to lovingly listen to our very own hearts (souls).  The more we allow ourselves to listen to our very own hearts, the easier and more focused we become in our practice of deeply listening to another. What may be rare for us can become a daily practice – if only for a very few quiet moments. Close your eyes and just listen.  It is one more way, one more place from which our inherent wisdom emerges.

Just for today…listen.

Then tomorrow, listen again. Let this become a habit so that it becomes your practice — for you and for another.

You’ll never find peace of mind until you listen to your heart.

–George Michael

If you enjoy the images which are included in blog posts here, I encourage you to check out the Images page on this site to learn more about the gifted photographer who captures them! Many of her images are available for purchase.

If you are looking for a brief note of inspiration, be sure to check the Drops of Wisdom page on this site. New quotes and inspired phrases are added all of the time!