Heart Choices: Are You Listening? -->

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Are You Listening?


listening
Photo Credit: Fotosearch
How good are you at listening? 

Are you focusing on your response while someone else is speaking?

Let's be honest here:

Have you ever mentally created a grocery list while sitting in church listening to the sermon?

Have you ever planned your to-do list while watching your child perform in a play or sporting event?

I recently found this cartoon.

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I love technology. 

But I've found that there are times when it’s best to:
  • Turn off the cell phone
  • Shut down the computer
  • Stop listening to your iPod and other gadgets
Will you make the choice to simply …be in the moment?

Time goes by so quickly.  Believe me, as you get older it seems to go faster and faster.  And there are certain moments you'll never get back. 

Don’t forget that relationships matter!  Spend time with your loved one face to face.  This is a good reminder for me as Greg and I celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary tomorrow!

Blessings and love,
QuickEdit
Debbie Petras
23 Comments
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23 comments:

  1. Family and friends tell me what a
    good listener I am and I do try
    to be. But, I am guilty of all
    the things you mentioned. Who
    isn't?
    Congratulations on your 26th, and
    it's on my birthday! We celebrated our 26th in June.
    Love,
    Sandy

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  2. Amen dear friend!! You said it all. We need to shut down and pull back at times because although technology is great it can be very impersonal and time-consuming.

    I prefer in person relationships and I don't want anything to consume my time from the LORD.

    I love your precious heart!

    Congratulations to you and Greg on 26 years tomorrow. Peter and I just celebrated 20 years. Time goes by too quickly doesn't it?!

    Praying for you both dear friend. Hugs to you and Kathleen in your visit tomorrow.

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  3. What awesome advice. And congratulations on your 26th anniversary!! Have a wonderful and blessed day!!

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  4. So a good post, Debbie. Full of truths I needed to hear.

    Have a wonderful anniversary celebration tomorrow.

    Blessings.

    ReplyDelete
  5. ...or worked on menu plans during a really boring class?

    I need to work on that.

    Have a great 26th anniversary!!

    Continue to be blessed! *much love*

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  6. Excellent thought... thanks for the reminder. I also want to thank you for stopping by my post. I'm the one with the pacemaker and enjoy each beat it gives me. It was nice getting to know you on your blog. Thanks for helping so many others with heart issues. Happy Anniversary to a sweet couple...!
    Charlotte, Lover of His Name

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  7. Praying for you both Debbie!

    thanks for the email - I hold your heart close to mine!

    Happy Anniversary to you both!

    Trusting God to pave the way for a new season of joy!

    Love you!
    Jill

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  8. First of all, Happy 26th Anniversary to you and Greg, Debbie! What a good reason to spend time away from gizmos and just focus on each other! When I found myself checking email and my blog and getting pulled into the computer instead of focusing on my grandkids, I knew it was time to make a change.

    Love to you,
    Laurie

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh, how true it is. My husband just said last night "I think October only had 2 weeks"...I have to agree, October just zoomed by.

    Happy anniversary, Debbie.

    Love & peace,
    <>< Iris

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh yes, I've done all of those and more. It's hard to disconnect. I really have to purpose to do it. But it's so true that we allow ourselves that uninterrupted time just to "sit still and be".

    Happy 26th! Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh boy is that great! It's so true. We run around saying how busy we are..we have so many modern ways to give us more time...washing machines, telephones, and such...but we seem to have less and less time for being with the ones we love.

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  12. I know that I'm not the best listener...and I fall into that category where I'm thinking what I'm going to say back when someone is talking to me.....terrible!! Thank you for making me more conscious of what I'm doing...something I truly need to work on!

    ~Beth

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  13. I loved this. I love technology but I love quiet too. I'm in a Beth Moore bible study right now, Breaking Free, and yesterday she talked about how we have to be still to know God. It resonated : ) Have a nice day!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Time does go by so quickly. I haven't even started some of my new years resolutions from last year. Barb will be coming on the 18th, and it seems like she just left. Have a great anniversary!
    Sue

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  15. Sad but too true...I addressed this in my post about taking cast boy to the pumpkin patch...we are starting a "no phone" policy when the adult kids come...they totally get side tracked and miss their younger siblings.
    I hope you had a great Anniversary...it is also Happy Housewife Day...which you are one!
    Blessings...thanks for the reminder...it can take us all over and I am trying hard to learn to say "no" to technology and "yes" to life!!!

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  16. Well,here's the wayit is over here...I'm technically challenged as you know. The fact that I am even able to post a comment is quite a feat for me. If you only knew how long it has taken me to get to this "comment" section today, you would know exactly what I mean. Frankly, I think I need a bit more in my arsenol, but then again, I don't miss it that much. My kids are always after me to text, but hey, I like to hear their voices. As for listening, I really try. I use to have a little plaque in my house that said, "I'm not sure what you heard is what I said."
    Hope you have a nice anniversary.

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  17. Reminding me yet again of a valuable piece of advice concerning relationships/leadership.

    "Focus on what is near, not far; small, not big."

    It's become a life principle for me, and as of late I've had an epiphany of sorts... one of those light bulb moments when a thought clicks into action. I want to write about it at some length but have yet to have the energy. It regards the way I look at time, my time and others' time. That instead of thinking that it is mine to give to them, I begin to shift my thinking to say that time is a gift they are giving to me.

    Now what can I do with those 5 minutes? How can I treasure the privilege of their time that they're allowing me. Listening? Speaking a word of blessing? Whatever that moment might hold for each of us, I want to make it count for all eternity.

    Yes, turn off the technology, back away from the chaos and look into the eyes of humanity. That is where we find God most closely resembled... in the eyes of his created.

    Love this. Enjoy Miss Sassy.

    peace~elaine

    ReplyDelete
  18. Debbie,

    I have just read your posts for the past week and oh, how it blessed me. I enjoyed the video of David Phelps---what a voice.

    I cannot tell you how grateful I am that God has brought you into my life. Your words of encouragement and faith have ministered to my wounded and broken spirit. I will always be grateful to you for your kind and generous heart.

    Please keep me in your prayers as I do you. My father has friends in Phoenix---who know, perhaps someday the Lord will bring us face to face.

    Blessings to you today, dear friend. You bless me.

    In Grace,
    Marie

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  19. Great post my darling... that cartoon is so priceless! I have seen that type of thing far too many times. I have also been guilty of 'zoning out' from the kids, my husband etc.

    Great reminder for us all...

    Have a wonderful anniversary!

    Love you xxx

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a great reminder to BE IN THE MOMENT!
    My passion for blogging and love of blog friends like you requires computer time. I must not let that get in the way of the here and now!
    Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
    Kim

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  21. I am i new follower by the way.
    You know i listen for a living but seriously i cant agree anymore!!! Sometimes you need to stop everything and turn everything off for some quiet time!!
    And it's SO refreshing!!!

    ReplyDelete

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