Listening

Yesterday was what I consider my day off.  I spent it reading and watching some tele.
There was one program on that seems to reflect what I have heard a lot of lately.  That is the importance of listening.  In fact, the program was called something like, “The Listening Tour.”  A guy spent 33 days cycling across the US.  On the way others would join him for the ride.  But he would make a point of listening to the locals when he stopped.  He would ask them about them.
What he found amazing is what I have found amazing just talking to people.  Everyone has a story.  Everyone.  And every story is a lesson in victory or defeat and always seems to contain elements of both.  To me it is how the story ends that matters most.
I have found the story of others amazing.  People that do not stand out in anyway but to me when I talk with them have outstanding stories.  The stories are not necessarily the stuff of legends or movies but the stuff of everyday.  The ordinary made extraordinary.
No one seems to want their life to count for nothing.  Often goals are humble yet profound like feeding the family or looking after a loved one.  Sometimes the goals are big and the desire is to make a positive difference in the lives of as many as possible.
Sometimes goals are not reached or are abandoned.  But it seems to me failure is giving up when giving up is an inappropriate response.  No denying it some choices are harder than others.  Sometimes my response is heroic and sometimes wimpish.  Knowing what to do does not mean I always do it.
Yet I do know that I grow by listening to the stories of others.  I mentioned recently a lady who turned up at our market.  She was a biologist and is now a writer.  I can tell who is pulling my leg and who is genuine.  She was genuine judging by the things she bought.  Another guy at the markets taught in China.  He told of a science experiment with a bowl and water he does that produced amazing results when the bowl is rubbed.  He learned it in China and had children fascinated by it at our Fun Day.
That sort of thing is only learned by listening.  I must admit listening is something I like to do.  Sometimes just a monologue is heard but sometimes gems of truth or experience are heard. Listening creates a meaningful encounter for both the speaker and the hearer.