Today I am thankful for listening...listening to the sounds around us...the sounds of our everyday world, the sounds of laughter, the sounds of children, the sounds of silence, the sounds of music.... I am thankful for listening to what someone has to say....and truly hearing... an explanation, a story, an apology, a belief, a sadness, a joy. I am thankful for listening and hearing a familiar voice, a favorite song, good advice, inspirational words, a greeting, words of endearment..... and by listening to all of this, hearing the beating of another heart.
This weekend was a ridiculously crazy weekend in which I feel like I traveled the whole of New York State. I didn't...and although I was on the move....literally...all weekend, there is something about a long car ride that is conducive to sitting still and listening to what other people in the car have to say. I've had some really good talks with my kids on car rides. There is one other place, that for some reason, seems to be a good place to have a serious chat with my kids....but let's not talk about that right now. I had chances at various times...during various long car rides to chat with each of my kids...listen to what they had to say..what was irritating them, or making them happy or worrying them. I listened to their plans, hopes, dreamsm, jokes. I am thankful for that time...where I was forced to just sit and listen to them. It is so important to just listen to other people...to know who they are, where they are...if you want to have a relationship with them. If we had all been home all weekend...not sure if all those talks would have happened...some of them would have for sure...but maybe not all of them. I am thankful for all of those times where I listened...or they did.
I wasn't at work yesterday, as I was still driving....and talking and listening ....home from my crazy traveling weekend. Today I went in late. I wasn't feeling that great, and may not have gone in at all. But there was a birthday that needed to be celebrated, and I had made the cake. So I went.
This year I have a new group of students...most of them starting in the summer. There is always a period, where we begin the process of developing our relationship...The staff with each other, the staff with the kids, the kids with each other. There are a couple of girls in my class...one doesn't really like to give me the time of day, at times. The other, in the beginning, just seemed unhappy often. So, I set on this mission, to gain their trust and show them that I am there for them. I have tried to listen to them...to what makes them happy, what makes them sad, what makes them turn their head in my direction. I have a great class. I LOVE my staff and my students. I am so lucky to have them...and they make the day worthwhile every day. I have a lot on my plate there...things I need to do, get done....and sometimes when I go home, I wondered if I listened enough to whoever needed me to listen...have I done what I could, what I should for them? That is always my #1 priority.
Today when I arrived, neither of those two girls were in the classroom. When they returned, they took one look at me and first one...and then the other...started squealing and smiling and laughing...because I was there. Imagine that. That was music to my ears. They know now...that I listen to them. They know what to expect of me. They know what goofy, silly things I am going to try to do....to show them that I am there and I care....and I will always listen.
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”
~ Stephen R. Covey
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