We've been in our current home for almost 2 1/2 years. When we moved in we had a lot of boxes but not enough room to put our "stuff" where we wanted. We stored our surplus in the large room where there was a filled-in indoor swimming pool. A year later, a construction crew came in for the remodel and part of that project was a designated storage room for the overflow. We are going through boxes and now cookbooks have found a home on new shelves, books have been sorted for keeping or donation, and little knick knacks are taking their places for display.
I have always liked this little cup. It reminds me of my dad. A year or so after Dad died, my siblings and spouses were all together and my sister-in-law posed the question, "What is a memory you have about Dad?" My answer was that aside from giving us kids silly names like Snicklefritz, he used the expression "Ears open, mouth shut."
As a kid, that usually went in one ear and out the other, but as I got older, I understood what he meant: listening is more important than speaking. "Talk less, listen more" is a communication technique that involves actively listening to others instead of talking. It helps you build relationships, learn new things, and become a better conversationalist. Listening allows you to focus on what the other person is saying and try to understand their perspective. Rather than dominating a conversation by talking too much; listening shows respect and allows for deeper understanding.
The following quotes emphasize the importance of actively listening to others. Many important people have shared their thoughts about listening. These are all good, but I'm going to stick with what I grew up with:
"Ears open, mouth shut." ~ Dad
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“If you make listening and observation your occupation, you will gain much more than you can by talk.” Robert Baden-Powell
“When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.”
Ernest Hemingway
“Most of the successful people I've known are the ones who do more listening than talking.” Bernard Barugh
“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” Bryant H. McGill
“The art of conversation is the art of hearing as well as of being heard.” William Hazlitt
I like the "say little but think much" on your cup.
ReplyDeleteSomething I have learned to do since childhood, principally to avoid being ridiculed!
I love that little cup. It sits on my kitchen window sill and has no purpose, other than to bring a smile.
DeleteThere is a lot of wisdom in these statements.
ReplyDeleteI need to remember to talk less.
ReplyDelete