Tone deaf...

I play music. Listening is my business. You'd think after all these years of playing music that I would've figured it out. Music is better when musicians listen.

This morning, as I played in the worship band, I took more time to listen. "What?" I hear you saying, "Of course you listened, you were playing music! And music about listening."

Well, should be. There are distractions, I hear myself saying. Music, people, loud drummers! Hee, hee. Seriously, there's stuff going on out there. Besides, even my ego can get in the way of hearing what's going on with other in the band. That's right, ego. There I am, thinking about how I can play this incredible "riff" so people will think I am REALLY amazing...that kind of thing. E-G-O! It's a huge problem.

OK, so there I am at church this morning (a "check-your-ego-at-the-door kind of place if ever there was one!) and BAM, all of the sudden I am looking at the lead guitar player, Max, playing his solo on the worship song, "Hungry," and it hits me ... "Wow, that solo is amazing! Max," thinks I, "you are one amazing guitar player!" But then the real aha moment arrives, it's the first time in months that I have really heard what someone else is playing, because I am so FOCUSED on me. Oh, sure, I hear these guys play all the time, but I have not been listening. So is hearing listening?

Unequivically, no. From my kids to my co-workers, I crash through life thinking what I think, keeping my own counsel and, in general, just doing what I think ought be done. And, in light of my position as an owner of a business, that is to be expected. However...

I don't know everything. (I hear you saying "DUH!") But don't we all think we know, I mean really know what's best for us? We do. We ALL do. I do. But I want that to change in '08. To listen, register, understand, comprehend. That is what I LONG for in 2008.

I have suffered by not listening. No longer. I committed to listening, or at least trying to listen. (PAUSE) Do you hear that? It's me not talking, not typing, not haranguing on about this, that or the other thing! Ha, Ha! Here I am, a blogger, saying I will not harangue!!!!! What a laugh. But I want to try. And isn't that the main thing ... trying?

It's simple really. It starts with a word, not mine, yours, perhaps. A healthy does of silence. Perhaps enough space for someone else to speak. Can you hear them speak? I can, faintly, a whisper really.