Why Bother Listening to Your Life?

Listen to your life…see it for the fathomless mystery that it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.

— Frederick Buechner

These words caught my attention this week. Possibly because they reminded me of the benefits I’ve received when I’ve taken time to reflect and listen to life.

It’s easy to get caught up in life and forget to actually listen to it – to savor the mystery, be with the pain, soak up the good, and be patient with those mundane moments.

We don’t need to live in a state of constant reflection but done well, reflection is indeed good medicine. We are better off for those times when we stop throughout the day and take notice of what we hear, see, feel, touch, taste, and smell.

How are you at listening to your life? I’m continuing to learn and grow in this area!

One Line A Day

I started a new practice this week. Before bedtime, I write out one or two sentences that stand out from my day. I write it in a 5-year “One Line a Day” journal. One year from now, I’ll be the same page and be able to read last year’s entry.

I got the idea from the Pink Cast – with Dan Pink (I’ve read several of his books as well).

Why bother listening to your life?

The unexamined life is only half lived. If you don’t stop to listen, you’ll get stuck when times of adversity roll over you. Failing to listen to your life will keep you in the valleys that inevitably come in life.

Some of my greatest learning and growth has come in the valleys of life but growth wasn’t automatic. I had to “observe my life” in order to to gain maximum benefit from the experience I was having.

Speaking of listening, I welcome your input as I seek to better understand where people struggle in their listening. You can find my 5 minute quiz here.

One final thought. 

How will you listen to your life today?