Today (July 18) has been proclaimed World Listening Day. So, how are you at listening? I'm horrible - but striving to get better.

This year's them is "Listening to the Ground." As you're walking, listen to the sounds you're making - the crumpling of leaves, the snapping of twigs, things like that.

I'd like to add one other component to this year's observance - listening to what others around you have to say.

My grandparents used to always say, "God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. He meant for us to listen twice as much as we talk."

Listening is something I think WE ALL need to work at. Maybe it's just me, but in this day-in-age it seems like no one listens anymore.

Maybe it's because we (as a society) rarely visit face-to-face anymore. Today, everything seems to be done over the Internet or through a phone message.

It's especially prevalent in the younger generation. I would love to know the breakdown of text messages versus phone calls. I'm betting it's at least 10-to-1.

In my case, I've noticed that when I don't listen like I should, it's usually because I'm trying to do two or three things at the same time. They call that "multi-tasking."

Since the first of the year (New Year's resolution) I've really been trying to do a better job of listening. I try not to multi-task if at all possible.

So, my challenge to you today is to put down the phone and actually look that person in the eye who you're conversing with. You might be surprised what you hear.


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