Reflections

This morning I am realizing that my writing has seemed to taper off recently -- not just my writing, but the desire to write. I am wondering why.
It could be that I simply don't have much worth sharing. Maybe it is a realization that nobody is really listening anymore. I guess reading and comprehending is similar to listening and I have observed that we are generally poor listeners.

It truly seems that more of us want to be heard than care to listen.
We'd rather share what we know or believe than listen to the perspectives of others.
We only listen to respond and rarely listen to hear or understand.
We know stuff and have opinions about things, situations, and even people,
but we rarely really know other people. 

I think our communities have suffered greatly by not knowing one another and by letting the loudest talkers govern instead of the best listeners. Ideally, the best leaders would do both well, or be a talker that has surrounded themselves with people that are well equipped to listen. That doesn't really seem to be a thing these days.

Are you primarily a talker/teacher or a listener/learner? 
While we are generally both, I think we have a tendency to be primarily one over the other. I don't think people give this much consideration. Without consideration, it is difficult to find balance.
And, as with most things, finding a balance is important.

I think that blogging gives me a forum to share without really caring if people listen. Carrying on conversations with people that interrupt, only wanting to talk and never really listen is too frustrating. Here, I already know that few people read and follow, so it's cool. 
Maybe everybody should have their own outlet for writing or sharing their thoughts without really needing for others to listen or pay attention to what they have to say. 

I like a good story.
I think most people do.
Tell me a story.
Tell me your story.
I promise -- I'll listen.

John