Kindly Asked to Listen

Day 87: Kindly Asked to Listen

“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” – Bryant H. McGill

A few years ago my Mother-in-Law gave me a packet of Spiritual Seeds that I poured into a mug that says happy on it. The spiritual seeds have daily intentions and inspirational messages on them. My daughter often comes upstairs to my office and picks one from the mug. Today, she picked the one that says: “Today I choose to listen more intently.” The other side of the card says, “To be present and fully conscious in the now moment requires good listening skills. Give the gift of your full attention when others speak.” She immediately said, “Mom, this one was meant for you!”

She is completely correct. I am not the best at giving her my full and undivided attention. I have that awful disease called multitasking, or at least the illusion of it. I may be able to get many things done at the same time, but at the expense of my daughter and myself. I am missing out on the gift of loving exchange with my daughter. I am also missing out on being present. And if I really think about it, I am missing out on a whole plethora of things: connection, mutual respect, love, joy and the peace that comes with being present.

Kindness to Self:

I think listening to ourselves is the most precious gift we can receive from ourselves. Listening to our inner messages and living our lives from the truth within will bring a bounty of gifts.

Kindness to Others:

Listen. Listen. Listen. Just think of all the wonderful moments, connection, and loving kindness that comes from the simple act of listening. Listening really is one of the kindest things we can do for others.

Kindness to Strangers:

Being open to hear the messages from a different group of people with understanding is quite simply a gift of peace and kindness. Let us all be willing to listen to people with an open heart, ready to embrace all others, especially those that are strange or different.

Kindness to Our Planet:

Go outside, close your eyes and listen. What do you hear? Your breath, the birds, the breeze? Doing this will surely bring you into the present moment, which is where we are.

Jennifer Palazzo

If you are interested, you can check out the seed packets at SpiritualSeeds.Org.