“We have two ears and one tongue so that we would listen more and talk less.”
~ Zeno of Citium as quoted by Diogenes Laertius
My “One Little Word” for 2021—LISTEN—grabbed me and held on since last summer when I created my vision board. Usually, my vision boards are filled with words and writing goals, but not this one. There are few words, and somehow, “listen” showed up on it twice.
In addition, last night I opened two books of poetry to read, and “listen” grabbed me again. In the first poem by the late Jon Tribble, “The Divine,” the first line is “I cannot sing, but I can listen—”. The next poem, “Meditation” by Z. G. Tomaszewski began “I listen to rain as I watch tea…”
A sign? I think so.
My years as an educator trained me to multi-task, including listening with one ear while monitoring student comprehension and engagement. I admit that sometimes I’m not fully present to the person who is speaking. Or I’m sometimes thinking about my response before the person finishes speaking.
Active listening, engaged listening, attentive listening doesn’t come naturally. I have to be intentional, focusing on the speaker whether it’s during a presentation (even on Zoom—not easy) or in a one-on-one conversation. This takes awareness and deliberation, and I’m going to strive to do this.
It hasn’t been easy to listen this year. I think my One Little Word holds power. Power to understand, power to respect, power to connect.
Above all, maybe the power to heal.
What is your One Little Word for 2021? (“Whew!” is acceptable.) Please leave a comment and let me know.
Listen is a great message. I tend to multi-task, too, but I’m working hard at active listening. My word for this year is Hope. I hope 2021 will be better than last year. I hope we’ll recover from the pandemic, the violence and discrimination toward anyone not a white male. I hope to hug my grandchildren soon.
Diane, HOPE is a perfect word for 2021. I hope for all the things you do, and I believe there are signs that all of them are possible. At least some first steps. Peace and love to you.
Hope is DEFINITELY 2021’s perfect word! 😉
I agree, Dave, especially as Spring is just around the corner.
A strange choice but it kept coming up, EASE. I am going to allow myself to ease into my choices. Ease into my writing. Continue my mindfulness journey, but with more ease. Less of the need to find that pot of gold at the end. I am pretty sure it was the late 60’s early 70’s when the poster was popular, “I got to just ease on down the road.” It could have been highway. See, it doesn’t matter. I am just going to ease on past it.
I like EASE, Deb. Sometimes I rush into things or don’t “stop to smell the roses” and miss out on things. I like your idea of taking time to work into things. “Ease on down the road” were lyrics from a song in “The Wiz” a remake of The Wizard of Oz” as I recall.
Thanks for sharing your “One Little Word”.