I’m sure you’ve heard the age old saying, “we have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”

Let’s just say that it would be an “alternative fact” to claim that I have ever upheld this life motto. I am not a bad listener per se, I am just a better “talker.” I have more of an affliction for expressing; I am an expressionist.

Ok, “expressionist” may be too much of a self-serving euphemism. To put it bluntly, I, on occasion, sometimes, maybe, kind of have difficulty keeping my mouth closed. There, I said it!

My point in admitting this is not to divulge my character flaws (though I have many, I am stubborn), nor is it to compel you to listen twice as much as you speak. Let me be authentic in admitting that this is quite hypocritical advice and is not likely to be implemented into my own foreseeable future. My point is to express that I get that listening is not always as easy or even enjoyable as self expression, but I do encourage you to listen- to really listen- to the stories, complaints and thoughts of as many people as you can.

You never know what you might learn or whose lives you may touch. I have been touched on several occasions recently.

Listen to the Uber driver that tells you their whole life story of which you may not care at all about; you might be making their day to just be that set of ears, and you might even take away an impactful lesson. Listen to your parents advice; they always know best (it’s scary). Listen to the little kids you babysit as they tell you about their grandiose dreams; encourage them that no dream is too big. Listen to your instinctual urges and not to the often non-verbal cues encouraging you to be someone other than yourself; you’ll be happier this way.  Listen to the Taco Bell employee who tells you that working minimum wage really sucks; be compassionate. Listen to your friends’ stories without interrupting; their stories matter more than your own. Listen to what is going on in the world; this is the fundamental way to make the world better. Listen to those you disagree with; you aren’t always right.

With that, I ask you not to listen twice as much as you speak. I just ask you to listen intently and with care to others and to take something away from each interaction you have. For the natural listeners, speak up more often. Generate important ideas to the world. For my fellow “expressionists,” I strongly encourage you: give your voice a rest every once in a while 🙂

Keep smiling,

Jenna