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Left Brains.
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Right Brains.
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Brand Soul.
“We must love them both, those whose opinions we share and those whose opinions we reject. For both have labored in the search for the truth and both have helped in the finding of it.” Thomas Aquinas
I noticed over the last several years, people have become increasingly “amped up”. I’m not sure if it’s because of the political climate, the evolution and increased use of smart phones, recent health scares, or what; not sure. And, I’m not sure if we have failed to believe others speak truthfully or bring value to the conversation. But what I am certain about is more people have less patience when talking to each other than ever before.
You ever watch a person typing incessantly on their phones and then ask them to stop so you can engage with them in a conversation? Do you get the giant sigh? Or how about the “fidgety” movement you might see when a mouse is in the corner and it’s trying to find a way to escape?
So often we go in to “collaboration” meetings, and there appears to be more concern with getting one’s point across than collaborating, so we talk over and through others. And, all of a sudden, there’s a hail storm of people talking and you leave with a headache and no action steps. Or, worse, the conversation turns in to arguing, bickering. I think we need to heed Thomas Aquinas’ advice or we miss an opportunity to show someone we care, we listen, and we understand your need.
I once learned some simple exercises in college and in my youth I find appropriate now to reflect on and draw from as an inspiration for deeper listening and understanding.
There are so many books you could read, classes you can attend. I’d challenge all of us to just open your eyes and ears and listen to what’s actually being said. Start by going home tonight, turn off the television, the radio, the phone, and sit in meditation outside and listen to world. Then, transfer that lesson to listening to someone you care about and enjoy the outcome of what could be something new: a conversation and not a hail storm of words.