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 As
a small boy I wrote plays, and "our gang" of the
neighborhood built a stage, put on a show. We sold tickets to
grown-ups on the streets — usually getting enough for a few
ice cream cones. But what we really remember and cherish is the
fact that sheriff George Newman came to the show. He
honored us by listening!
A
current T.V. commercial in this part of the country claims
superiority for its sponsor because "We listen!" Nor
do they stop with a slogan. They claim to have training schools
for their employees, and executives, in the art of
listening. There is no denying they have offered something the
public appreciates — a willingness to hear the customer's
message.
Listening
says something. It says, "I respect you as an equal. I am
willing to hear your side and give it proper
consideration." By listening we climb down from our
imagined ivory tower, and join the human race. We acknowledge
that someone else knows something — we may learn something.
And while one is listening he is less susceptible to
hoof-in-mouth disease.
There
is no telling how many rifts and
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separations could be avoided if we would
learn to listen. False accusations and straw-man arguments could
give way to a well-defined issue, and even if the speaker is in
error our rebuttal would be more effective by getting to the
heart of the matter. And if he is right...
Have
you ever gotten the feeling that in your home parents and
children are yelling their lungs out, and no one is listening?
In school, in government, in management-labor relations, we are
forming committees who can express our views — to
whom?? The wisest and most practical solutions to our problems
are effective only if someone quits talking long enough to
listen. We are a tribe of "Heap Big Chiefs" — and no
Indians.
I
can not claim to be a good listener; and perhaps this is written
as self-rebuke, or penance. It could satisfy my guilt complex,
and still not give others their deserved attention.
Jesus
blessed the ears that hear (Matt. 13:10-16). ARE YOU LISTENING??
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