Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 537 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Listen Intentionally – Wisdom Unplugged

Thank you for joining us for our 5 days per week wisdom and legacy building podcast. This is day 537 of our trek, and it is time for a 3-minute mini-trek called Wisdom Unplugged. This short nugget of wisdom includes an inspirational quote with a little additional content for today’s trek. Consider this your vitamin supplement of wisdom for today. So let’s jump right in with today’s nugget.

Today quote is from Margaret J. Wheatley, who said, “Listening is such a simple act. It requires us to be present, and that takes practice, but we don’t have to do anything else. We don’t have to advise, or coach, or sound wise. We just have to be willing to sit there and listen.”How well do you listen? I mean really focus on what the other person is saying without interruption or forming your response before they finish. This is such a difficult habit to learn, but it is possible. Most of the time we have already determined in our minds what is being said and are formulating our response before we hear what is actually said.

Intentional listening is so rare in our conversations today. We desire to spew our “wisdom and knowledge” that we barely hear, let alone acknowledge, what is being said. We all need to slow down our conversations so that we can communicate much more effectively.

One of the 7 habits that I list at the end of each podcast is to Listen Intentionally. This means listening with the intent of hearing what is being said before responding appropriately. I am as guilty of this as anyone, but one habit that I am intentionally working on. One practice that I have started is when Paula comes over to my desk to talk, I stop all other activities, face her, and really attempt to listen. I am certainly not perfect yet, but I am improving.

I am concerned that for most of us, we also are lacking in listening to God through His Word. When God speaks to us, we also need to put into practice what we learn as James 1:22 tells us, “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”

That’s a wrap for today’s Wisdom Unplugged quote. If you would like free access to my database of over 10,000 inspirational quotes, the link is available on the main page of Wisdom-Trek.com. As you enjoy these nuggets of wisdom, encourage your friends and family to join us and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek of life together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow for Philosophy Friday!