Shhhh...do you hear that?

I don't do the whole list of new years resolutions thing, I won't go into all the reasons why, I just don't. I do however like to choose one word, one concept, one area to focus on for the year. One year I focused on being a better steward-in all areas of life. One year my mantra was simplify. Another year I just wanted to find the joy. As I have thought about 2009, and what I want to do, or where I want my life to be heading in 2010 I have wandered about in my mind. Stopping for a moment here, testing out a new resting spot over there, never really finding a comfortable spot to sit and meditate. And then, it just hit me driving down the street in the car. I need to LISTEN. The more I perused and wandered around this new area in my thinking, the more I knew this is where I need to head. LISTEN

This is where I am, as a person, as a wife, as a mother, as a friend. I spend a lot of time hearing all sorts of noise, children asking for rides, what's for dinner, did I run this errand, did I make that phone call, do I have that paperwork, when is this meeting, what are we going to do about _____, but do I LISTEN?

I looked up the definition a few places, and this is what I found 1. to make a conscious effort to hear 2. to pay attention to something and take it into account 3. to hear with intention 4. an act of making an effort to hear something

LISTEN is a verb, to truly LISTEN requires effort, focus, and a willingness to act on what you have heard. My hope for 2009 is that I learn to truly LISTEN, to make that conscious effort to hear what people are saying with not only their lips, but with their hearts as well. LISTEN to the Spirit, LISTEN to my husband, LISTEN to my children, LISTEN to my friends, LISTEN to myself, LISTEN to those I work with at Church, LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN.


Shhhh....do you hear that? LISTEN...it just might change the way I live...