hearing and listening

I grew up in a family where people talked but hardly every listened, and as I grew older I knew that was the one thing I would try to do better: listen.
People think we listen solely with our ears but listening is so much more than that: it is being receptive to what is not said and heard. We listen with our whole body which is why we need social relationships because sending e-mails or reading instant messages is but one way of listening.
I think I have become a good listener although I am stunned that there are still so many people who are not listening, who are not 100% attentive to what you are trying to tell. I am disappointed people have become so careless and part of it is the speed at which communication travels around the world these days. We give something up and seem to gain very little.
I am sorry I cannot have more face-to-face contact with you Lynn Ruth, but my life right now is in turmoil, professionally, personally...ironically, I am not being heard and listened to in my job, which is why I am so frustrated. But even though I don't see you Lynn Ruth, I hear you all the way and this is why we have this blog: to connect with and listen to each other and listen what the world has to say to us. I hear you Lynn Ruth-- just wish we could see each other more often, if only to enforce the listening part,

Love

Inez