Chrissi B! Are you listening? Really?

Listen! Do you say that often in your life? I do. I ask my family members to listen .... Think a moment and hear what I am saying. Listen.

I have found that different types of listening, or shall I say not listening, happen during a typical day in my life. I may listen to you about sports, politics or news with not much interest, while you do the same when I chat about colors or shoes. "You" being dh. "You" being my guys.

I am sorry, I cannot get excited about baseball five seconds into the season, or pre-NFL games coming in a matter of weeks. Do you want to have a football party? I am there. I am your girl. Do you want to vent about scores and trades? Not so much.

I have been having a few chats with cutest hubby about listening lately. I thought he got it. On Friday, I informed him that I was going to make a major purchase, he okay ed it and moved on. On Saturday, as we were shopping, I dragged him to a store looking for accessories for "that" purchase and he looked at me surprised. What did I buy?

I laughed! Hmmmmmmmmmmm, I gloated, you weren't really listening were you? Recalling the night before and the conversation in the kitchen, near the island, I was the one wearing .... Yes! I caught him. Only half listening. Lesson learned? I think not.

I once read an article about a father trying to teach his son how to listen. Trying to teach just how to pay attention to what is said, and how it is said. The son poohed poohed his dad, and walked away. The father had given the son specific instructions on where to find a check for the new car he wanted. The check had been hidden just for him to find, hidden deep among his own things. The son had to listen to his father talk about organization and cleaning his room. He did not.

Long after, when the young man was moving out, did he find the check his father had hidden in his room. A hefty sum, the check would of covered the desired car with a bit to spare.

Do you listen? Listen today ....Make an effort to hear with your ears, heart and head. You will benefit. You may find something out about the people you love. The people you work with, or yourself. ...enjoy!