Are You Hearing What I’m Saying?

President Franklin D. Roosevelt got tired of smiling that big smile and saying the usual things at all those White House receptions. So, one evening he decided to find out whether anybody was paying attention to what he was saying. As each person came up to him to shake his hand, he flashed that big smile and said, “I murdered my grandmother this morning.” People would automatically resond with comments such as “How lovely!” or “Just keep up the good work!” Nobody listened to what he was saying, excepet one foreign diplomat. When the president said, “I murdered my grandmother this morning, ” the diplomat responded softly, “I’m sure she had it coming to her.”

Oh, how much we miss by not listening. I admit to being the worst offender, but am in a listening recovery program! It is only pride and self-centeredness that cause us to scream to be heard and listen only when it suits us. Very few people actually listen well. We love those who do listen well;

His thoughts were slow,
His words were few,
And never formed to glisten.
But he was a joy to all his friends -
You should have heard him listen.

There few actions we can take that says to our friends, spouses, children, employees, relatives, neighbors, etc. that tells them we value them, than to actually listen to them. Listen with our eyes, our mind, our heart, our compassion, our understanding.

A great wingman…is a great listener!