April 2 – Listen


The best time to listen is in the quiet. During the night, when the world is asleep in the darkness. Or early in the morning before the world has awoken.
You can listen for the things you wouldn’t be able to hear at any other time. Listen to the breathing of those who are closest to you. Listen to your house.
Listen to the birds singing their morning songs. Listen to the critters that only creep out at night calling to each other.
Listen to the voice inside of you. It probably has a lot to say but little chance to say it and be heard. The temptation is to shut it down. Drown it out with other noises. Or take a pill, have a drink, put it to sleep. But it’s still there, of course. Still needing to be heard.
Here’s a suggestion: sometimes the voice inside of you needs to be told, “I love you.” Say it. Again and again and again, as many times as you like – no one else is listening. Say it as many times as it helps – I love you, like a mantra.
Then listen.

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