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Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Listen, Here

#TWTblog and #sol14
Happy New Year to all of the fellow slicers!

I've spent the last three weeks or so thinking about my new "One Little Word" for 2014.  I also reflected on how well 2013's "balance" went...so much thinking and reflecting on where I've been and where I'm headed...

As I tumbled through 2013, balance kept me in check.  I reminded myself repeatedly not to get bumped around by distractions that would take away from God, family and work.  Thankfully, I think I did ok.  And then, the thinking about the new word crept up on me.  At first, I thought it would be "reflect" but I felt like reflect was too noisy...then I realized that the thing I needed to make actionable is to-"LISTEN"!

“When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.” 

I found this quote and it inspires me because the thing I want to work on for 2014 is to listen better-with my whole heart with God, my family, teachers, students and parents.   Here are some additional words that came up when I used the visual thesaurus (thanks to Michelle and Stacey) to determine outliers related to the word "listen"...


-to mind, to heed, to hear, to perceive, to comprehend

I searched for ideas and thinking about listening.  I saw on a website that listen is an anagram for silent.  How interesting that the same letters are used for listen...

I need to listen to my own heart too-what are my needs and wishes-what is my heart telling me?  I'm not sure if this is the right word or not, but it "sounds" right for now.  I will try my best to listen to the signs, sounds and symbols to head in the right direction for 2014...



18 comments:

  1. that's why we've got TWO ears and only one mouth, right? so we can listen! loved the reminder to do the easy yet difficult thing: listen to myself. thank you!

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  2. I really liked the visual thesaurus. Why is it always so difficult to truly listen? Keep us posted on your progress in 2014.
    Bernadette

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  3. Such a great word and sometimes so hard to do! I look forward to reading about your year ahead. Also, thanks for listing me on the Blogging Challenge! It may take me a little while to get it done, but I do appreciate it!

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  4. Listen? I love that word. It will guide you well, I'm sure! So glad you liked the visual thesaurus...cool, isn't it? Happy New Year!

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  5. Listen seems like a perfect word for this year! And I love that listening starts with listening to your own heart. Happy 2014!

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  6. Listen is powerful, you will learn lots when you listen.

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  7. Part of my olw action was to brave the silence...I can't wait to see where your word leads you in 2014

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  8. It is interesting that listening comes with hearing! It also seems that it will be a lot easier to "listen" now that you have "balanced" your life first. I believe that even if listen is not going to be my word, I need to make a point of listening to God more in the coming year. Thank you for the reminder!

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  9. Listening completely is so challenging. We have to quiet our own voices to truly listen. I think that is one reason I love reading and writing. There is time to listen to separate your thinking from others and really listen. Listen will take you to wonderful places in 2014. Thank you for your thoughtful post.

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  10. When I was in college, I met a woman who listened to me wholeheartedly. She was the mother of eight children, but she had the ability to make you the center of her universe when she conversed with you. Listen was my word for 2013. I'll be listening as your share your journey in 2014. I love the Earnest Hemingway quote.

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  11. You have chosen a great word. I know that you will listen both with ears and a heart. Happy 2014!

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  12. So many good things come from listening - no doubt you have a good new year headed your way!

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  13. Great word, Amy - and so hard to fulfill, sometimes. But, we always remember those who really listened to us, don't we? Happy New Year!

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  14. I love that Listen and silence are anagrams. :-) It was reading your post that reminded me I usually research my word. After I did that it sealed the deal on my choice, so thanks for sharing. :-D

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  15. Hi Amy,
    I can't think of anything better than listening to your heart. We are on the same wavelength. I think your word and the thoughts behind them are beautiful. I look forward to reading about your journey this year. Happy New Year!

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  16. I love the time and effort you are putting into finding and using your word Amy. I confess that I didn't do well with this exercise. I had a good word but I let it go and moved on quickly to the next exercise. I love the visual thesaurus too!
    Happy 2014 Snow coming here.

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  17. Amy,
    First of all, I'm impressed that you managed last year's word. BALANCE is a tough word to tackle. LISTEN is a great word for the new year. I hadn't really thought about how the letters can also spell SILENT.

    Wishing you all the best as you listen to the world -- and to yourself.

    Cathy

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  18. Listen.
    What a powerful word to choose.

    A favorite song of mine... Speak to Me by Tommy Walker... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcUOa96Zu98

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