Something unexpected occurred to me while I was reading this morning.  That was I have three forms of access (there may be more but three occurred to me).  Internet (or online), books, andinside me.
As far as I can see there is only one that is permanent and I can have with me wherever I go, and that is “inside me.”
I love the internet and spend time exploring and learning through it.  I have found out so much through it and reckon my life is the richer for it.  Yet I know I can lose access in an instant.  I only need to see “when the internet is down” in the shops to know I do not have access to my money.  And I remember having a pile of songs put together online and then the program disappeared.  I could not access my list of songs.  Fortunately that was more of an inconvenience than anything as I had hard copies of the music I had put together.  I do think streaming services is a potential rouse too, as in an instant it can disappear.
I love books.  When faced with a choice I go for hard copies.  Listening to a book or having an electronic copy of a book is great but I tend to avoid only having something like that in electronic form.  The biggest hurdle for me is I cannot really share an electronic copy of a book with someone.  Yet a hard copy I can loan.  I like to share what I have enjoyed and find lending a copying is easy, convenient and potentially more long lasting.
But again a book is potentially unavailable.  If the place is burned down or flooded or ransacked, books I have can disappear.  I am in the process right now of looking for a book that is precious to me, but has disappeared.
So what I am thinking is the only thing that I can keep is not the internet or even books but something that is written on my life.  I may have gotten it from the internet or books but I can  only keep something inside me.  That is something I can take with me where ever I go and is not prone to disappearing.  It is part of me and I can access it anywhere any time.

Dictionary day again.  It never ceases to surprise me.  Today’s word is “faro”.  Apparently it is a gambling card game.  I have never heard of it.  As is so often the case I looked it up.
“Faro is a historical casino card game typically played with a standard 52-card deck. The game is designed for two or more players, where the objective is to win the most bets by predicting which cards will be drawn. Players place bets on specific cards, and the game involves a unique betting system where Aces are low and Kings are high. Faro is known for its simplicity and luck-based gameplay, making it a popular choice for casino nights and parties.”
Not that I have anything against card games but I tend not to play them.  Particularly gambling card games.  Personally I think gambling is a waste of time.  A movie I saw had a casino telling guests not to waste their time and just to send them their money.
I used to work with a guy years ago that would bet on the horses.  Very small amounts.  He was doing it as an experiment.  He started with $100.  He said at the time I spoke with him about it, he was at 70 something left.
I am pretty dumb when it comes to card games.  I really do not know rules of any.  Except maybe snap.  In  all honestly I do not even know where the games are on my computer.  I know people play them and access them, but I have never been there – not because of any innate nonbelief in doing it, but more a lack of interest.
I know some are right into card games.  Not the gambling side but the fun get together side.  I think that is great and any excuse for a get together that does not harm anyone is a good thing for me.  I guess it is just that I would choose to play some other game.  Not that I have done it a lot, but we have a pile of games set aside.  There are those that love it.  We are thinking of having a monthly games night for those that want it.  I know they are out there.

Sometimes I write about things I have spoken about before.  But I can do that – I’m getting older and it is expected that I repeat myself!  But in this instance, I do not repeat myself because I do not know I am doing it.  I repeat myself as it is the thing that I am thinking about and working through right now.
At the moment it is all about listening and hearing.  Trying to avoid listening just to speak what I think.  When I listen to speak only, I can miss what I need.  To me, listening to speak is the height of arrogance.  It is saying what you have to say cannot inform me in any way shape or form.  It is saying that what I think is the end of the matter and another has nothing to offer.
I reckon if I thought like that I would miss so much. 
I like to read and in books I find there are so many thoughts that are out there.  Some I embrace and others I think, “I don’t know about that.”  But the point for me is that much is worth considering and I can learn when I am willing to listen.  Listen without unconsidered preconceived ideas.
It is fine as far as I am concerned to refuse to embrace another’s ideas when what mine are built on have been considered and stood the test of having contrary opinions challenge them. 
What is not fine as far as I am concerned is to dismiss something just “because.”  In my mind if a contrary idea is not considered simply because it is different to mine and is never thought about only on that basis, I miss out and my growth will always be stunted.
If on the other hand I willingly hear another out, consider what is said, and arrive at a different conclusion based on evidence I can refer to, then I am actually better off for it.  It is not just me better off for it but anyone willing to hear without prejudice is better off.
So here I am thinking about listening not to speak but to hear.  Personally, I think that is the only way I can grow as a person.