A few days ago I was shopping for groceries at Sobeys. A tense-faced woman was having a loud and unhappy conversation on her phone in the middle of the fruit aisle. I scooted ahead, not wanting to be part of her troubled evening. It was the end of the day, and I was enjoying the freedom of deciding what we would have for dinner that night. I didn’t want her loud voice intruding on my thoughts. It seemed no matter which aisle I went down, she was a few steps behind me, continuing her tirade. Everywhere I went, she followed.
It wasn’t until I was outside of the store that I was free of her. Somehow I knew that her conversation had no chance of going well. There was a lot of talking going on, and no listening.
Native American Elder Sa’k’ej Henderson says “To truly listen is to risk being changed forever.”
What if we were all able to unplug, and simply listen? How might the world transform in miraculous ways?
I listened to the wind this morning, and heard the promise of snow.
I listened to the quavering voice of someone speaking, and heard courage.
I heard someone speak of loneliness, and felt the group gather around in support.
Even if there’s nothing else I do next week, I hope to be a good listener.
Warm regards,
Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong
