Some folks are great storytellers. They have a way of capturing your attention and touching your heart. My Dad was a storyteller. He never let the truth get in the way of a good story. Not that he lied exactly but his stories may have had a little embellishment from time to time. The best cooks add a little spice, so why not let a storyteller add a little flair. Besides, Dad’s stories seemed mostly true to his listeners. The essence of his stories was factual. The names, times and places may have been changed to protect the innocent. The stories Dad told have stood the test of time. He’s gone now but his stories live on. His kids and grandkids can regale any interested listener to this day.

Everyone has a story to tell. What is needed are listeners. How often have I avoided conversations? How many times have I dreaded crossing paths with someone because I didn’t want to hear about the latest heartache or heartbreak. I used to work with a guy who I routinely evaded. He was the kind of guy who if you asked him for the time, he would tell you how to build a clock. I think he was just lonely, and I was just a jerk. Maybe if I had acknowledged him, I would have made a friend. But I was too busy, too important, too egotistical to make myself available. I think my “could-have-been friend” had a story to tell but I couldn’t be bothered.

Now that I’m retired, I would like to use my career as justification for not always listening to others in the past. That would be lie, and not the harmless kind that Dad would weave into his stories, but a bald-faced lie. I just didn’t care enough to listen, really listen. What a loss.

Life is a journey and as with most journeys there are challenges along the way. And opportunities for growth. I’m learning to be an active listener. I’m trying to shut up and listen; to stop planning the response in my head while someone else is speaking. Unfortunately, I’m a slow learner. Perhaps this is the problem in our society today. People like me are so sure of themselves and their positions and their opinions that we don’t the take time to consider that there are others who have something to say; something worth listening to. I recently read (or heard) that truth is the integration of different points of view. That’s something to ponder. My opinion and your opinion and countless other opinions create the truth? If you think you’re right and I know I’m right, but we fundamentally disagree where is the truth in that? I have no idea but I’m trying to listen.

So, here’s the deal: We need to tell our stories. More importantly, we need to listen to others’ stories. And we can share our commonalities and learn to accept our differences. We need to open our minds and our hearts. My Dad once said, “Be open-minded, but not so open-minded that your brain falls out.” I chuckle when I remember that, but I get his point. We can listen to others’ stories respectfully. We can hold on to our “truths” while allowing others a chance to share theirs. We live in a diverse, pluralistic society where many voices make us stronger. We can and must listen and learn. Jesus shared his truth through parables. Perhaps we have our own parables to share.

I’ve read countless times, “Tell your story; sing your song”, but without listeners, storytellers have no story to tell. And we miss out on their wisdom; their insight; their love.

Peace,

Denis