listening
11.26.04 (3:05 am) [edit]listening
It amazes me how hard it is for me to listen at times to others; how strong my defenses are when I am not centered and somehow think that I can really influence others to any great degree especially when it comes to personal beliefs. When I am tired or stretched then that is not the time to debate or to even attempt to open up any kind of communication with someone with a different perspective on life. If I don't at least start from the stance that the one I am attempting to dialogue with actually has something to teach me then that is a good reason not to start, why bother since I am stating from a position of a real lack of respect for the sincerity of the one I am debating with. If I have no respect that will come out in the way I respond to any statement that I do not agree with. It would seem to me that the questions asked by someone who does not believe can lead me to try to answer questions or to think along different avenues that I have tried in the past; this could be good and even refreshing. To be able to state my opinion from a position of respect and listening may only be helpful to me since the one I am debating may not return the respect I am showing; well that is his or her problem and not mine, none of my business on how they treat me; my business is on how I treat them and if I fail to do my best then apologies are in order; this also is to my benefit I think. peace mitch