Listen Up

National Day of Listening

And I want to repeat these three words: please, thank you, sorry. Three essential words! . . . Let us say these words in our families! 

~Pope Francis

A man of few words, my grandfather once remarked that the best conversationalist is a good listener. Listening shows courtesy and respect. It requires focused attention and a slower pace.

Today, on the National Day of Listening, let’s reflect on how well we listen to others and how courteously we communicate with them. If you’re anything like me, every third sentence is a panicked interjection: “Eat!” or “Find your shoes!” or “Don’t you dare stick a tomato in the light socket!”

As improbable as it might seem, greater domestic peace might be achieved by phrases such as, “Please eat the dinner I cooked for you with so much love” or “Thank you for putting your shoes away now so you can find them later.” Or even, “I’d be happy to listen to the reasons why you thought sticking a tomato in the light socket was a good idea.”

Moms really do set the tone and pace of the household, even though it feels sometimes like those things are beyond our control. Words like please and thank you and sorry show that we care about the person we’re talking to. And that, more than anything else, might just make them more willing to listen.

Open my ears to hear your will, O Lord, and open my lips to speak your words

To Ponder: Have you forgotten about common courtesies in the hullabaloo of daily life? Try to say please, thank you, and sorry a little more often and see what effect it has on the people around you.
~ Karee Santos

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