Am I listening?

Cover via Amazon

A couple of days ago, I posted a piece from the John O'Donohue **book, To Bless the Space Between Us, of course giving him credit for the work. I received a comment from the O'Donohue Trust reminding me that the work I had issued was copyrighted. I felt perhaps the authorities (?) would soon be at my door, but knowing that it was unlikely Mr. O'Donohue's organization would be narrow- minded nor vindictive, and wanting ever so much to again quote from this marvelous little book, I sent off an email to them inquiring about the proper procedure they would like to see in place. I received a very prompt and pleasant reply and with proper copyright information at the bottom of this page, I offer you this quote from Page 4 - Mr. O'Donohue quotes from letters between Boris Pasternak and Olga Ivinskaya*:

"When a great moment knocks on the door of your life, its sound is often no louder than the beating of your heart and it is very easy to miss it."

Mr. O'Donohue goes on to say -

"To live a conscious life, we need to constantly refine our listening."**

I find these words both from Boris and Olga, as well as John, to be impactful and relevant in regard to all of my relationships - with God, in a casual encounter with a stranger, in the deep love I share with my spouse, in the monumental responsibilities and joys shared with children, siblings, and extended family - all relationships.

How do I listen, how often do I listen, what do I hear, and how often do I give thanks for the awareness that I need to refine, to carefully hone my practice of listening? How about you - what does living a conscious life mean to you and how do you refine your listening?

*public domain

**© John O'Donohue. All rights reserved
www.johnodonohue.com