CREATIVE LISTENING
When a man (or woman) has a new idea,
or aspirations, or dreams, to whom may he
go? Who will listen to him?
"My own experience," wrote Thomas Drier,
"is that there are not many good listeners
in the world, people who will open not
only their ears but their minds to other
folks."
"How many of you," asks Drier, "know
of friends to whom you can take you finest
aspirations and be sure of a sympathetic
hearing? How many will listen intelligently?"
"You'll have no trouble getting people who
will remain silent while you talk. But you
want something more than that. You want
to tell your thoughts and receive back
encouragement that will make you feel like
a fighting cock, sure that you can go out
out and snap the heads of all the snakes
that will rise up to trouble you."
"I believe we need a new priesthood [of]
men and women who ill listen creatively
to the finest thoughts of people.They will
furnish an outlet for emotions that would
otherwise perish and probably turn to poison."
St. Paul speaks of a "royal priesthood."
Can royalty exist where there is no empathetic,
creative listening?
Is anybody listening?
Let's hope so.
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