Character of Listening

Big egos have little ears ~ Robert Schuller

I do believe people who think they are all that and a bag of chips seldom take the time to listen to other people.  Listening is taking your focus off of yourself and what you have to say and listening to the wisdom of others.

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The Bible tells us in the book of James... "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" (James 1:19) 

Well there you have it...we need to be listening way more than we are talking.  How good are you at doing that?  It may be a skill that you have to consciously learn.  Sometimes it is just so easy to forget that the person that you are currently having a conversation with, may want to get a word in from time to time.  Think about that the next time you are in a one-sided conversation...you might just learn something from the other person in the room.

Below are some quotes that I think are great concerning the character of listening...

I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. ~ Ernest Hemingway

_Listening, not imitation, may be the sincerest form of flattery. ~ Joyce Brothers

Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd have preferred to talk.~ Doug Larson

I remind myself every morning: Nothing I say this day will teach me anything. So if I’m going to learn, I must do it by listening. ~Larry King

Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens. ~Jimi Hendrix

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