consider how you listen

do you ever notice a theme recurring in your life?

as i've lived through the eight days already behind me in this year, there has been one repeating theme, and that is of listening. the most recent occurrence being in this morning's devotions, when in the book of Luke, after explaining the parable of the sower to his disciples, Jesus said,

"consider carefully how you listen".

to be honest, i don't know if i have ever considered {carefully or otherwise} how i listen. but given the fact that this seems to be the theme of this year so far, i am going to have to change this. perhaps 2010 will be the year of listening.

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it is the province of knowledge to speak,
and it is the privilege of wisdom to listen. | oliver wendell holmes