May 15

”A closed mouth gathers no foot." Chinese Proverb

Sometimes I just need to learn to keep my mouth shut. There are many situations where the wisest thing to do is simply listen. I still remember my parents telling me that I had two ears and only one mouth, so I was supposed to listen twice as much as I talked. I don’t always follow that advice. Listening goes further that using my ears. It also means giving my attention to the person who is speaking. It means not taking that time thinking about what I want to say as soon as there is an opening. Rather it is about really hearing what is said and striving to understand the message that is being relayed. My interjections, if any, should be to seek clarification or to paraphrase what I have heard to verify that I received the message properly. My mouth works faster than my brain all too often, and then I end up sucking on my toes. In building my relationships it’s important for me to take the time to consider what I am saying, and how it is going to be delivered. I know that my tone of voice and body language also have a big impact on what I tell someone. When it’s important, then the whole package needs to be there. A few extra seconds can make the difference between a conversation and an argument. And if I still foul things up? Well, hopefully there’s time for apologies and amends too.

Affirmation

Communication is a huge part of my relationships. I will focus on listening well today, put the needs of others before my own to practice my active listening skills.