Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you would have preferred to talk.
I know of four ways to respond to a conversation; one is to join in, another is to opt out, laugh it off, or be silent.
I discovered, listening to what others had to say wasn’t enough. We have to understand what is being said, especially the whispers coupled with the small print. I also learned knowledge is a result of listening, and remaining quite requires know how.
I have never been good at opting out of anything, but I have learned, sometimes “Silence is the best statement.” Glory Hallelujah!
The more conscious we are of what others are saying, the more we tend to be attentive. Plus, one of the hardest things to do when another is talking is to stay interested. Perhaps it’s because of all the other conversations we are having; the ones that are going on in our head.
Respect comes when it seems as if the person we are talking to stop thinking, and begin listening to what we have to say.
It takes a special kind of skill, (control over oneself) to keep that mouth shut, ears tuned to receive, and the mind in a receptive mood to sort it all out. All of these attributes are needed for better insight, fresh perspectives, and they may very well determine what we experience; creating a fine line between success and or failure.
I took heed from an old Native American Proverb after having a serious bout of the big mouth; Listen or thy tongue will keep thee deaf.
Just so you know; silence can be loud; it’s a learned practice that can be harmful. In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. Martin Luther King.
Then there’s the other side; He who does not understand your silence will not understand your words. Elbert Hubbard
Anyone can know, and not understand. The first step to understanding is to acknowledge when we don’t understand, coupled with the realization that we are all at different levels of understanding. And just because we don’t understand something don’t mean it’s not so.
Did you understand that? Good, it took me a minute.
One last thing: In order to gain knowledge about, and some type of understanding in all things, Pray. Prayer makes us more receptive, sensitive, attuned and responsive to others.
It’s Something to think about. And it’s in Jesus name we pray.
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Norvie L. Cherry 