Gratituesday 6.9.20 - Listening is Difficult
Photo: Noel Sutherland
Yesterday’s meditation prompt came from a quote from Seth Godin. He writes:
Listening is Difficult
Hearing happens when we’re able to recognize a sound.
Listening happens when we put in the effort to understand what it means.
It not only requires focus, but it also requires a commitment to encountering the experience, intent and emotion behind the words. And that commitment can be scary. Because if we’re exposed to that emotion and those ideas, we discover things we might be avoiding.
The quote is very timely for a number of reasons. The white community failing to truly hear the struggles of the BIPOC communities. For many of us being tone-deaf to the situations around us – be it the pandemic or racial inequality. And for all the fear – of sharing experiences or failures.
But meditation offers a personal experience. To sit with a question or thought and let it resonate from the inside. I encourage all of us to do that. Not only hear, but truly listen. Let’s go. In the meantime, I start with these simple reflections. Care to join me?
GRATITUDES
1. Those out there protesting and sharing helpful resources
2. My yoga practice and all the students who continue to show up
3. My mother’s knowledge and educating me on the stock market
4. Hot coffee & fresh bread
5. Online shopping and delivery – though I wish for more eco-friendly options
VICTORIES
1. The couch and chair I ordered in February are finally being delivered tomorrow!
2. Figuring out the best way to stop the spinning after the vertigo starts – especially during yoga!
3. Sending out a monthly newsletter
4. Day 81 of regular Spanish lessons on Duolingo (including my nephew joining me twice a week)
5. Performing two more joyous video weddings
DESIRES
1. To be completely done with all things renovation, permits and the city
2. For Maxie to stop biting me
3. A haircut
4. To figure out what do to with all the paperwork from my past lives
5. For the changes in belief to cause changes in policy