Listen and Silent – Listening with the Heart

Greetings Dear Reader,

It is not enough to listen.  It is not enough to listen attentively.  I was reminded recently that even though I know I am listening the person speaking make not.  It is not enough to listen.  One must listen with the heart.

It is easy to move away from real listening.  We think we know what the other person will say.  We believe we know the answer and we do not let the other person work it out.  I have people in my life who work out how they feel by talking to others.  If I am too quick to think I know the answer then I am not listening. 

My interruptions and solutions, even when they are spot on are a signal that my heart is not engaged with the person talking.  It does not matter if I present a solution that could work world peace if I do not hear the heart of the other person with my heart.

Listening must be with all that I am.  I must consider how I wish to be heard.  I need to seek first to understand before trying to be understood.  I need to see the heart of another in what they are saying.  I must listen with my heart not just my head.  I must see the needs spoken and unspoken in the conversation of others.

It is in this that I can inject kindness and compassion.  If I ask someone to trust me with how they feel.  If I offer to listen and do not respond with compassion I am not keeping faith. I am not worthy of trust.

If I do listen with my heart and show love and compassion then I can perhaps make a difference.  I can perhaps make the journey easier for someone else.  I must listen with my heart to do this.

Good Man – Burlap to Cashmere

He was walking down the highway

And you saw him straggling along

And you reached out

Opened up your door

And you gave him a ride

To your heavenly home

God his mother, she won't listen

And his father hated his old man

But you listened to his feelings

And your eyes consistently understand

Yes, your eyes consistently understand

He was a good man.  He lived a good life

He was a good man.  He lived a good life

But he was dancing to the bright lights

He was dying for some love

Well, you see him with his guitar

Down the highway, he would walk along

Singin' old songs, singin' Sunday blues

But his school bells were his only song

Yes his school bells were his only song

Through the fire, through the lying sun

Through the smoke and fog

Through the day that's done

There was strength there

There was hope alive

There were strings of peace

From the other side

There were strings of peace

From the other side

He was a good man.  He lived a good life

He was a good man.  He lived a good life

But he was dancing to the bright lights

He was dying for some love

Don't you see he's falling away?

Thank God for the love that you gave

Only love can put out a fire

And only love was calling him

Higher and higher

He was a good man.  He lived a good life

He was a good man.  He lived a good life

But he was dancing to the bright lights

He was dying for some love

He was a good man.  He lived a good life

He was a good man.  He lived a good life

And you were right there, for the hard times

You were there again and again

Again and again, again and again

He was walking

Down the highway

Gave him a ride to your heavenly home

Gave him the ride to your heavenly home

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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