“How our words are understood doesn’t depend just on how we express our ideas. It also depends on how someone receives what we’re saying. I think the most important part about communicating is the listening we do beforehand. When we can truly respect what someone brings to what we’re offering, it makes the communication all the more meaningful.”
“We speak with more than our mouths. We listen with more than our ears.”
Both quotes are from Fred Rogers, “Mr Rogers” of children’s television fame. Both speak to our mindfulness. Some will tell you that meditation practice is “quietism,” a chance to “disappear” and “dissociate” from life. A chance to “get away from it all.” It’s not! Meditation is the work we do that allows us to speak and listen with our hearts, with the compassion that simply awaits your recognition. Meditation awakens deep compassion, and makes it so much easier to truly listen, and speak truly. God bless Mr. Rogers, may he rest in peace!
Best,
Jim
James M. Walsh Pastoral Counseling 