National Day of Listening

I have been absent from blogging for a couple weeks, due to an overload of personal issues. I've had a little too much of life's less appetizing portions heaped on my plate this year, especially in the last couple months. I'm working through the latest helping, served up by one of my children, and when I've digested that, I'll hope for more appetizing entrees, or perhaps a decadent dessert. I sometimes just can't converse when I have too much on my plate. It's bad manners to talk with your mouth full, right? Anyway...

It's Black Friday. You could be one of those in the throngs of people trying to get a good deal today...if so, I feel sorry for you! I have participated on rare occasions, but the older I get, the less likely any item of merchandise would get that much attention from me. In the past I have found many shoppers to be rude, pushy, and entirely void of any of their Thanksgiving spirit from the previous day. I say, "No, Thanks!" Unfortunately, tragedy played out in Long Island, NY because of the rush of shoppers, and according to the NY Daily News, a Walmart worker was trampled to death this morning. Pretty sad commentary on the greed of commercialism.

Buffalo Gal seems to be enjoying her day in her pajamas. I think that's a good idea. I am going to go out and help my kids with some home repair projects. Then, I may call my mom and ask some questions for the first annual day of listening. I wish I would have known about this earlier, but just read about it in my brother-in-law's blog. Thanks, Chris!

So, here is the scoop. Today is the First Annual National Day of Listening. I will spare you a lot of the details, as you can go to the link and read them for yourself. The main idea is that you take the time today to listen to someone's story...as everyone has a story to tell, and everyone's story is important. This story can be from a parent or grandparent, a friend, a person you see daily but don't really "know," anyone! Write it down, record it on audio or video tape, photos, whatever.

It is these stories that bind us together. I feel we would be sometimes better off as a country if everyone would take some time to listen to one another, instead of just talking over each other. I enjoy blogging, but only half as much as I enjoy reading other people's blogs. I have always enjoyed biographies...individual people's stories...and I find the stories of everyday people just as, if not more intriguing, than any famous person's biography. I enjoy reading, and often commenting, on the various blogs I try to read on a daily basis. From little snippets to long, drawn out opinions, each gives a view inside the minds of others. Some have similarly held views to my own, others do not. Some are similar to me in some ways, but not others. It doesn't matter, though, because, agree or disagree, we are all have a right to hold our own beliefs, and really, a duty to allow that same freedom to others.

To those who may read my blog today, feel free to answer one, a couple, or all of the questions below, so I may listen to your story and get to know you better.

What was the happiest moment of your life?

What are you most proud of?

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in life?

What is your earliest memory?

How would you like to be remembered?

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"It is the province of knowledge to speak, and it is the privelege of wisdom to listen." ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

"Listen or thy tongue will keep thee deaf." ~Indian Proverb