Listening

"Listening is a magnetic and strange thing, a creative force...When we are listened to, it creates us, makes us unfold and expand. Ideas actually begin to grow within us and come to life...When we listen to people there is an alternating current, and this recharges us so that we never get tired of each other...and it is this little creative fountain inside us that begins to spring and cast up new thoughts and unexpected laughter and wisdom. ...Well, it is when people really listen to us, with quiet fascinated attention, that the little fountain begins to work again, to accelerate in the most surprising way."

How many people know how to listen?

I know many many many people.

I ask again:

How many people know how to listen?

Let's just say that it is a rare quality.

I often think - if we listen to each other then we can rightfully expect Hashem to listen to us. ומכלל הן אתה נשמע לאו.

Part of the problem is the machinery that consumes us. But the root of the problem is not the toys but the self-absorption that afflicts almost everyone.

Is there hope? If there wasn't - I wouldn't waste my time writing about it.