Respect

One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.

Bryant H. McGill

I’m not always the best listener. My brain often leaves conversations without my permission. I get lost in thought or lost in a memory triggered by something said, or even just lost trying to process the first sentence of what they said. I do my best to listen, and even more so, I do my best to show with my actions that I listened. Whether by body language or by saying something in response that confirms I heard them. I’m definitely better at this in public. At home, I just want to not. The problem is that’s the most important place to listen! I love my family’s stories so much. I always want them to repeat, repeat, repeat! But I want to work harder on listening to their stories the first time. I want to be a part of their life. I want to know what’s going on. I’m interested in knowing and feeling all their pains and joys. I don’t ever want them to feel like they are alone.

Maybe starting today, I can write down something each of them told me about their day and put it in a journal everyday until January… Just might work