As some of you know, our family just adopted two five month old kittens. Like Tamara’s friend above, they very quickly learned to listen for the sounds that bring them gifts. I can walk around in the kitchen all morning without them stirring but the second my daughter opens the door to her room they bound on in squawking for the treat they know she will bring.
When I was a child we adopted a dog that apparently was abused with a broom before coming to us because the other wise happy hound would cower in the corner the second the broom touched the floor. Nothing we ever did could change her listening of that sound. She was programmed for life to expect the worst with every sweeping motion.
People also learn to listen in certain ways. We come to expect our family and friends to behave in certain ways. Our familiarity makes it easy to guess meaning without really having to listen. Convenient but possibly less than ideal.
When I was younger I didn’t want to disappoint my parents so I got into this habit of listening for anything that felt like disappointment. In time I could only hear that and began to limit my interaction with my Dad in particular to avoid this. Sometime later I learned that my Dad wished that his kids would come to him for advice more often. He listened to me like I didn’t want to ask his advice and I stopped doing so because I thought if I needed advice that meant I was a disappointment. The two of us were listening for the wrong things!
We had a laugh when we figured it out and then made a promise to listen for what we wanted rather than what we feared. In time I could get advice and hear my Dad’s love for me and he got that I could trust him not to judge me harshly.
January advises we listen in new ways too:
Women- You are called
by January Handl
Harken…
the thin red reedy pin-point sound
the throbbing deep green hum of chant
the vast sea waves of white noise voice
that seeks reflection
on the ear drum gift
of your body of clay
awaits your attention.
Focus…
deeply on the silent part
of you that knows without
cultural censure
without “shoulds”
beyond the reason
that chains
the strength of the masculine
into an extreme
that is costing us this planet,
this beautify-filled, sharp-edged
particular channel
of evolution
to self-recognition.
Heed…
turn your intention
into the moment to moment
passion
that only asks you
to say yes…YES!
Listen…
the earth can only speak
directly,
can only be willing to
keep texting us via
the ancient scars, the fresh
pus-filled wounds
that surround the greening energy
of sustaining vibrancy
Center….
ignore the overwhelming illusion
of this modern world
turn toward the bliss
that whispers softly
that pours wave upon wave
on the shore of our hearts,
reminding us that we
are the ocean
the sky
the ground—
we are the voice
of being-ness
that yearns to
sing of its
LOVE
Offer…
open your throat
surrender your doubts
face boldly your tethering fears
embrace the flowing river of
intuition,
follow the strands of connection
that leads to the
truth
of our being…
SING,
More…
Be SUNG!
Yes! “Follow the strands of connection that leads to the truth.” Listening is an active choice. We can listen with our memory and judgments or we can listen FOR that which helps us to live our song.
Mom calls with an annoying reminder and we can listen for the love in her concern. A child whines for you to do something she is fully capable of doing and you can hear her trust in your support and willingness to help her again. We can listen for the worst or the best.
How will you be listening today?
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tamara and January are here each Monday to help set the mood for the week!
Tamara Magnitsky
My mission is fulfilling a lifelong desire to be a creative professional making a positive difference in the lives of those I encounter. Photographing unique personalities in a fun and relaxed environment. To challenge myself creatively, listen deeply and take a damn good picture.
See Tamara’s photography on her Facebook Page.
January Handl
January Handl is first and always a mother, has been a preschool teacher and parent educator for 25 years. She is currently lives in Aptos California AND simply in awe of existence.
She calls her photo “hot tub bliss” 🙂
When I walk the dog in the afternoon – I try to isolate sounds as I walk – the sounds of his toenails clicking on the pavement – or my shoes as I walk – or the wind in the trees (especially this time of year). It puts me into the present moment and is very relaxing – stresses of the day seem to just fly away
Perfect Marty! Exactly the sort of reply I was hoping for. Thank you for sharing and enjoy your walk!