Are You Listening

Are You Listening

Wisdom from a Wise Tree

Looking out my window at an ice covered tree, I see it standing tall and still its branches laden with glistening ice from a recent storm.  It’s quiet time for the tree, time of rejuvenation and rest before all its energy comes bursting forth in the spring.  It speaks of a time of quiet solitude.  Winter is a wonderful time for reflection, relaxation, taking a deep breath and listening.

I can almost hear the tree talking to me and asking “Can you hear what I’m saying?  Listen, Listen, Listen.  Be still and listen.  I ask you to quiet your busy mind for a moment and listen with your whole body.  What do you hear?  I encourage you to step outside and listen to the silence of winter.  Close your eyes and listen.  Do you hear it?  Life breathing all around you in deep slumber, noises sharpened in the silence of the crisp air?  My icy branches tinkling in the wind like chimes?  The sound of ice cycles dripping?  Can you hear the silence of the season?”

I step outside and listen.  My whole body embraced by the quiet of winter and stillness of the day.  I spend 10 minutes breathing in the crisp cool air and thinking of nothing in particular, feeling the cold air and listening.  It really is quiet out here.  I come inside feeling chilled and yet refreshed, stomping the snow off my feet.  I turn on a pot of hot water for a warm cup of tea and sit in reflection of that wise tree.

Reminding me how busy my mind often is – racing from one thought to the next and often my body just as busy running from one event or task to the next.   I sip my tea and wonder… how well do I listen?  When’s the last time I listened to my body when it simply wanted rest?  Fully listened while I was being spoken to rather than thinking about what I’d say next?   When’s the last time I sat down and listened to what I want in life – rather than pushing ahead?   Do I listen to the still small voice inside my head?  Do I remember the last time I sat down with the pure intent of listening with no judgment, or agenda of my own – simply giving my full attention to another human being, my dogs or even myself.

How often am I fully present when I’m in the company of others – with my life full of technology and unending lists of to dos?  If I’m really being honest it depends on the situation. Unfortunately those that I care about most probably receive the least of my listening and that means the least of me. 

I’m just guessing, but I’m pretty sure like me, many of you tend to mult-task and are quite pleased with how much you can get done all at the same time.  However, how much are we missing while taking so much action?  Wonderful words to a song on the radio? The intuitive voice that reminds us to tap into our spirit before jumping head first into a whole batch of avoidable drama?  The wisdom of an old persons’ story we feel we don’t have time to listen to? The inspiring insight of a child?  The list goes on.

Are we losing ourselves in the hustle and bustle of life?  I believe the greatest gift we can give to ourselves and others is to truly listen.  Stop and listen just once in a while.   Every year, here in Colorado, we get the gift of winter with wild storms and cold days that, if we listen, remind us to slow down and take pause.

In closing, I’m choosing to follow the wisdom of the tree.  Yes, I can hear what you are saying, I am listening.

Are you listening?