How To Listen With Your Eyes

Lynn and Daniel, her adult son, are sitting side-by-side. After mentioning his tubing trip, she asks, “did you go alone?” He enthusiastically answers, “yes.” “Were other people there?” she asks. He answers, “No, it was a very quiet day.” Silence. Daniel goes on to describe the water level and pace of the river. He missed it – Lynn’s real question. …

Go ahead…Try on Toby!

With a tilt down of her head, an eyebrow lifted and a glare out of her right eye, my grandmother admonished me with, “Don’t mumble.” Back then, I mumbled to annoy her. I didn’t understand the ramifications. Now, I do. Mumble and… No one can understand what you are saying. The sounds that are heard are annoying. If someone wants to …

He had me at “Hello…ma’am!”

In line at Ingles grocery store, I push my cart up to the check-out counter.  A young man sneaks around the cashier,  grabs my canvas bag and says, “Hello ma’am.” He made eye contact and smiled. Even while he was loading my groceries,  he continued this presence. Have you been in the presence of someone who extends and expresses themselves in …