Listening

Hi,
My name is_______________, I heard you talking and wanted to introduce myself. “Congratulations on your award.”... I think what you mentioned is very much needed in the world today.

That was how a conversation started as I introduced myself to a lady Monday. She was just one of the many wonderful people I have had opportunity to meet over the past few days. She is a nationally awarded author, an actress, a coach, a member of the National Speaker’s Association, and a public speaker. Let me share with you a comment written about her book,

“This book could not have come at a more opportune time. A ray of hope amid chaos”...
Arun GandhiPresident, M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence

When I met Mary Claire O’Neal she was extremely humble. All I wanted to do was listen to her tell me about her book, what she had accomplished, and how I should move ahead in this compassion movement. Instead, she listened. She listened intently. She listened without interruption, (something I find it hard to do sometimes out of excitement). She listened with intent to give. When I finished talking, holding out a book in one hand, and a two CD package in the other, she said, “I have a copy of the book that won the award that I will give you. Which do you want?”

I looked at both titled, “Becoming What You Want to See in the World.” Feeling a humbled by her benevolence, I responded, “The CDs.”

After taking the last few days to listen to the CDs over, and over again, I too say, “This book could not have come at a more opportune time.” It is in perfect timing. It fit right with what I believe. More that that, listening to the book took me back to listening to her, after in fact she listened to me. It brought me to narrow in on the fact that, 'Listening is one of the most valuable tools mankind (and woman kind) has available', but the tool that seems to have been minimized the most in value.

Listening, builds relationships, stops wars, resolves conflict, empowers marriages, educates children, strengthens knowledge, starts corporations, expands businesses, prevents conflict, and so much more. Oh, did I say, builds relationships?

I used to say, “Communication is our most valuable tool.” After meeting Mary, and listening to her CD, I now add, “Listening makes Communication Effective.”

Mary reminded me that compassion is comprised of listening with intent to help, serve, lead, follow, give, teach, preserve, empower, not to punish, but to “LOVE.” If we use it, we all gain. If we don’t use it, we all loose unity. Aren't you tired of the disconnect?

Please listen!

Tony Dollars,
Email: tonydollars@gmail.com