Hi Steve, I agree with this one. So many times we don't take the time to listen. Thanks for sharing. Original message: > Is Anyone Listening? > "How are you today?" > "I'm fine, how are you?" > "I'm not so good today." > Silence. Most of the time, we take conversations like this as simple > chit-chat. Nice words spoken as a courtesy without real concern or obligation. > "How are you today?" he asks the next person. > "I'm doing great! How are you?" > "I've been better," he replied. > He rings up the sale, hands her the bag, and she leaves. The next > person moves up, "How are you today?" > "I'm doing fine," she said. But she never asked him. I could see this > empty look on his face. > I was in a local discount dollar store. I was looking for wrapping > paper, which was located near the front register. Over and over I heard > the same conversation as customers were leaving the store. No one took > the next step. No one asked the clerk why he was having such a bad day. > In my presentations, I often speak about the fact that, in general, we > go through these niceties, but we really don't want to know how someone > is doing. Most times we don't really tell the truth anyway, because we > figure it's none of their business or no one really cares about our troubles. > So, when I checked out I took it a step further. I always do. > "How are you today?" he asked me. > "Wonderful, thanks. How are you?" > "Not doing well today," he replied. > "Work getting to you?" > "No, well, I don't want to be here." > "The day's almost over. I hope it gets better," I told him. > "This won't get any better." > "I'll say a prayer for you." > "That won't help. I have someone who is dying." > I set the bag on the counter, leaned in and said, "I'm so very sorry. > Is it a family member?" > "My grandfather. He's filling up with fluid. His body is swollen, and > they say he only has a few days." > I went on to tell him that my Gramps was my favorite. "I really loved > that man." > "He's my last grandparent," he added. > We talked a little more and, looking at his name tag, I reached my hand > out and said, "Clark, I am so very sorry. I promise to remember you and > your grandfather in my prayers. > We shook hands and I left. I wondered how many other people didn't ask. > How many times have you heard someone express sadness, frustration or > disappointment and you didn't respond. > Sure, the line might be long. Step aside and continue the conversation. > Sure, you might be in a hurry. This will only take a few minutes. Sure, > in essence, you might not really care. You'll need someone to care one > day, too. > But when someone is honest enough to tell you things aren't so good > today, they are hoping that someone cares enough to ask why. > "Is anyone listening?"
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