LISTEN WITH INTEREST
Welcome to Day 10 of #write31days and Five Minute Friday Free Writes. Today’s word prompt is listen. As I thought about what to write I wondered if there was a difference between hearing and listening. I believe there is. It seems to me that when we listen with interest it is a more intense form of hearing.
We hear sounds every day and most we don’t even think about. They are just normal, every day sounds that we’ve become accustomed to hearing. Sometimes we don’t even listen when people speak to us. There are so many distractions these days.
I’ve been guilty of asking a question and then not really paying close attention to the answer. Then I sheepishly have to ask again.
I wonder if listening with interest is in danger of becoming a lost art.
It doesn’t have to be. We can make an effort to ignore distractions, make more eye contact and pay attention when someone speaks to us. My daughter, Jamie, and I had some extra time together last week.
By listening to each other, we were able to share encouragement and empathy in a number of areas.
LISTEN WITH INTEREST TO SOUNDS OF NATURE
One of my favorite things to do is to sit outside and listen. Of course I hear cars go by and dogs barking, but there is so much more.
I’ve learned that if I don’t pay attention, I will miss something.
One of the most beautiful sounds is the singing of the wood thrush. There’s also the buzzing of the cicadas, songs of frogs and toads, crickets chirping and much more. My haiku today is about the sounds of nature.
Nature’s Symphony
What can my ears hear
As I sit out on the porch
Listen closely now
Fingers of wind play
Lovely tunes on wooden chimes
Chains squeak as I swing
From the woods I hear
Rustling leaves, scampering squirrels
A woodpecker calls
Sun begins to sink
Wood thrush sings at twilight time
Frogs and toads join in
As darkness deepens
Cicadas start their buzzing
Crickets chirp along
Train your ears to hear
Nature’s lovely symphony
Every single day
~gayl wright
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Dear Gayl, I am also guilty as charged for not always listening attentively! :/ With so much vying for our attention, a constant bombardment of noise and unlimited distraction around, it’s often really hard to be intentional with listening to our lives, to God and to others. Yet all have things to teach us if we remain teachable. Your listening exercise sounds lovely! I don’t have a countryside environment but there are still unmistakable murmurings issuing forth from nature if I pause to listen to them. Your delightful haiku really held me in its thrall. I especially love this gentle admonition:
“Train your ears to hear
Nature’s lovely symphony
Every single day”
Brilliant advice, my friend! Blessings, love and hugs. xoxo
I know how hard it is to just stop and listen. I have to make a conscious effort. It would be nice if it became a habit to be on the alert, listening throughout the day no matter where I am or what I am doing. I’m so glad you enjoyed my haiku. I tried to give a feel for what I hear when I sit out there.
Love and blessings and hugs to you, dear Joy! xoo
Its such a beautiful thing when we are able to stop and listen.
I totally agree, Tara! Blessings to you!
Dear Gayl,
I love this phrase:
“Fingers of wind play
Lovely tunes on wooden chimes”
because so often throughout my day, I will be stopped by a sudden realization that my wind chimes are playing the most beautiful melody. I love how the Lord grabs our attention and helps us to stop to really listen to the beauty that He gives to us. Without His wind, the chimes are silent. He speaks for us, if we will listen! Love & Hugs! xoxo
I’m so glad you like that phrase and that you have wind chimes, too! I’m so glad we purchased them quite a few years ago. They have really brightened the day many days. We have one set for the front porch and another for the back. They are slightly different so play different melodies when the wind blows. 🙂 “Without His wind, the chimes are silent.” I love that! He does speak and we need to listen! Love and hugs right back to you, dear sister! xoxo
Lovely haiku, Gayl! xo
Dear Bette,
I just realized I never responded to your comment. Thank you for your words. Blessings to you! xo