The Gift of Listening

**Before you begin reading, sit down, breathe normally and be quiet for 1 minute.**

    In a world where we are being bombarded with messages, mostly unimportant, we are losing the ability to listen. In a culture where one’s words are valued more than their silence, we are losing the ability to listen. In a society where words persuade and influence and silence is seen as weak or unintelligent, we are losing the ability to listen.
    To listen is a gift to others and a gift to ourselves. We are often impatient when listening to another, waiting for our turn to speak and thinking of what we are going to say while they are speaking. We often do not slow down enough to listen to others, listen to ourselves or even listen to God.
    Listening requires slowing down and that is just not what everyone around us is doing. That is not how the world is. Everything is going faster and faster is better. Or is it?
    Spend time today choosing to listen. Listen to God. Listen to others. Hear what is being spoken.

**Sit quietly again for as much time as is available to you.**