My thoughts on listening

My thoughts of yesterday were with me as I fell asleep last night.  The power of listening and my gratitude for having that capability were in my thoughts.

 I volunteer in a facility where I see several patients.  My ‘job description’ is to disperse information with the hope that some comfort will be achieved in an alien environment.  My gratification comes from going beyond the necessary requirements as I’ve found that any real comfort comes from the communication skills of ‘listening’. 

 I was reminded very vividly of that fact yesterday when visiting a patient who unenthusiastically listened to my ‘spiel’ and displayed little energy.  I mentioned the tv and the patient began to relate a recent program and how impacted they were by the musical performance.  Unexpectedly,  I was then rewarded by, “You listen”.  Evidently, several professionals had visited and had no time for the’ listening’ to the tv experience and clearly wanted to ‘get down to their business’.  Naturally, that was their role in this person’s life. 

 In my role, I was afforded the mindset and capability to listen to this person’s interest and enthusiasm in life when their physical circumstances may have been dire.  The enthusiasm took them out of their physical challenges and was emotionally healing.

In contemplating my day, the many people I interacted with and the experiences I had, the particular experience with this patient and the simple words, “You listen” made me smile and rest.  I thought, “When we just relax and live in the moment, listening is so easy”. Gratitude.  

Thoughts of a Rose Bush

 My thoughts this morning were inspired when I saw climbing rose bush in front of an old farm house.  The bush was meandering with small red roses.  It looked like a bush that ‘sprung up’ along a fence and was not intentionally planted.  I’ve driven past this bush for several years but on this particular occasion (my husband was driving so perhaps I was enjoying the scenery in a more relaxed state), I had an intense sense memory. 

  It was a lovely sensation.  I was back in 6^th grade and our teacher was giving the class a lecture about stealing flowers.  Someone was stealing red roses from a nearby home on their way to school and the homeowners had contacted the school.  On my desk was a red rose and I had a  red face, I’m sure!

 Everyday, a boy in class would bring me a red rose.  I had no idea where it came from and never considered it.  It was springtime, I was 12 years old, and experiencing my first crush on an inappropriate boy (other side of the tracks).  At recess, he’d chase me on the playground and it was so exciting.  Certainly was never any contact or dialogue that was suggestive of our attraction to one another, just chasing!

 My recent sense memories and thoughts were very sweet in those few moments of time.  I felt special and a bit ‘full of myself’.  So innocent the feelings and recollections were and still are. 

 I drove past the rose bush yesterday but didn’t have the same intense sense memory I had previously experienced but recalled it and perhaps always will every time I pass it in the future.  I am grateful for the sweet experience in my memories of an earlier time in my life when the world and I were less complicated.

  Kate

Time to start! July 18, 2015

  I’ve always craved sharing my thoughts, from the little girl that had to stay after school because she chatted too much to the ‘privilege’ of being voted a class personality. The female ‘class chatterbox’!    On my journey to ‘Senior hood’, I often deprived myself of the opportunities to continue with the esteemed ‘chatterbox’ talent.  Groups and organizations were not my preference and so opportunities to exercise my penchant for sharing became limited. 

  My joy became my journal.  Whom better a person could I find to talk with, to share with, than myself?  Although my journal can ‘oftimes’ serve as a diary, the joy and rewards are derived from the contemplations and resultant insights into who I am and what is the purpose of this physical life for me. 

  A trusted friend suggested a ‘blog’ as an avenue to a sharing of myself.  “Me?  Who wants to hear my ramblings?”  It’s been well over a year since a blog was suggested to me, and I have finally decided to try something new.  If I connect with no one, I will still have the joy and experience of sharing myself and perhaps a new adventure will ensue!