Depth and Understanding

This a pic of me checking out sunset while I was in Portland, OR. I just thought I would share it...cause its beautiful.

So...School has been going on for about 2 weeks now and we are all getting into our routines here in Athens, GA. New students adjusting to the way of life, and returning students picking up where they left off. Its been a hectic few weeks, with organizing the classes I am taking, and then organizing the classes that I am teaching. I think that I am finally settling into a routine once again. As most of my friend know, I spend a lot of time thinking and processing. Sometimes it gets me in trouble, but mostly it can be isolating. I say this because I am such a talker. I love to share stories, adventures, thoughts and ideas. I love to have intense conversation that stimulates the mind and drives the soul, but its not often that i find a person who is willing to invest in that kind of time or energy!!

In recent years, I have really tried to become a better listener(sometimes I still fail at listening). Listening is a skill that I am sure, not everyone has. Its not about hearing what people say, but its about ingesting who they are while they are saying it. Sounds weird...this I know, but think about it. How often to we ask people the question " Hey, how are you? " and not listen to the answer. Its a off the cuff greeting with nothing substantial response. How often do we pass up opportunities to tell people how they have impacted out lives? Why do we shy away from this honesty and purpose?
I think this what frightens people when i meet them. I listen and I remember conversations, encounters and ideas. I re account them and bring them back to conversation and ask questions, to show care and concern. I think this can be over whelming and I believe this kind of listening and response is a lost art.

Food for thought...for the Day!!! Think about how you conduct your conversations, How do they effect those around you? What is it that you do to not only enrich your own life, but those you come in contact with? I am not saying we all need to be as heady as i am, God knows...that could be tortuous, but I think we need to be more purposeful and the conversations and relationships we have...I think it would improve the quality of life not only for the individual...but also everyone around us.

I would love to here some thoughts about this....let me know!!