Sit down and listen

I am a talker. There is absolutely no other way to put it. I can talk to anyone about anything. I actually don't have to have anyone else to talk to; I will talk to myself. And, to be completely honest, I don't normally have to know a whole lot about the subject, I just talk.

There is definitely a time to talk. It is necessary to communicate plans and duties, directives and desires. It is important to talk to our children about everything from cleaning their rooms to the perils that can lie right outside the door. But, just as important as talking, is listening.

Today's word is a quote from Winston Churchill that says, "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."

It takes a lot of courage to stand up for something you truly believe in, especially when the odds are against you, especially when you are outnumbered. However, I am one that will stand for what I believe without begging or backing down. That's not to sound like I think I am big and bad. It's just that if we don't stand for what we believe, do we truly believe it? But, it's not enough to stand and speak...

Sometimes, the most courageous thing we can do is sit down and listen. If we would listen to others and apply their wisdom and experiences, there is no telling what we may learn that we can then pass on to someone else. However, it takes courage to listen to others tell us what we shouldn't do, or what we should. It takes courage to sit and listen to someone correct us for our shortcomings. It takes just as much courage to sit down and listen.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T