Listen

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

For years I was shy in groups. Never wanting to hear my own voice. Theater changed that. On a whim, my mom voluntold me for summer camp where they put on a musical. I loved to dance and loved music so she thought this would ease my summer boredom.

It changed my life.

I slowly began to realize that sometimes people want to hear you. They want to be entertained or enlightened and sometimes both.

So my journey to speak began. And it grew. 

I began to audition for other shows and found joy in entertaining. 

Eventually I realized that my ability to speak could move beyond the stage – that it was important to discuss and pose questions in class. At first I was one of those students who got less than an A in class participation because I didn’t speak up enough.

Finally I evolved into the student who talks over people in order to get the word in. I really don’t like that person but it did get the A in participation points.

But now as I continue on my journey of voice, I realize that people want to hear me speak a word of wisdom. And in order to do so, I need to listen.

I’ve spend long enough choosing carefully phrased pithy statements. Now I must find the balance between listening and speaking.

I pray that my ears have finely tuned their filter so that I may dig through all the noise and hear what is important.

Perhaps now that I can speak and am ready to listen, God will show me what is truly “praiseworthy.”

Until Everyone Hears (including myself),

What are your thoughts?