Listen

It was suggested at my men’s meeting last night that we all take time to sit quietly for a few minutes every day and listen.  It is so important just to listen.  Just to sit still and be present.  Not listening to anything or anyone, just hearing the quiet, or the sounds.  I try not to associate, but I do.  The cars driving down my busy street are reminding me of the ocean waves. The birds have an occasional song, yet when I listen, they are singing all of the time.  The dogs have not been barking as much lately, but they are barking now; and I don’t know where the guy that goes down the street a few times a day yelling “Tamales, tamales!” has gone off to.  I am not listening for these things, I am hearing them.  There is a difference.  If I am listening for them then I am actively doing something, and that dog can start to irritate me.  If I am just sitting still, and hearing what there is to be heard, I am calm, I am passive, I am in acceptance. One in being, I learn to just be.  To become. The best time to sit quietly is between breaths. A perfect time to listen to Spirit.

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