There’s the doctor right across from me, and he’s sharing his thoughts about listening.

He’s a great communicator, an interesting, knowledgeable man and a bishop in the Mormon church. In so many ways, this could be great info for me.

Only one problem. I am not listening.

It’s not that I don’t care about him. But I had something to say, so I need an opening.

Outwardly, I do all the right things to fake listen. I “Uh-huhed” him at the right points and nod my head every 10 seconds.

He could be talking about Spam recipes and I wouldn’t know. 1001shutup

It seems like he’s coming in for a landing. Before he can get a breath, I start speaking, cutting him off three seconds before he finishes his thought.

He looks at me and smiles.

I have proven his point about listening.

I’ve tried to be better. I realize the importance of emphatic listening as a great interpersonal tool to help others. Not only listen to the words, but watch for nonverbal cues.

As so often happens, I had a mulligan the other day, a do-over to learn about listening.

A friend is talking for the better part of 45 minutes. I say a few things. But for the most part, I just listen.

As he talks, thoughts flood my mind, answers to questions I had brewing for some time. Wisdom for myself, my family and other areas of my life.

For some reason, a few tears trickled down my cheek. I feel peaceful and warm inside. When I do speak, my voice cracks. I think somebody Upstairs was trying to tell me something, by way of divine inspiration.

This might be a major turning point in my life.

All because I shut my mouth.

Photo from here.